It's rare to find someone who supports Swallows, Arsenal and Napoli, but sports presenter Kwena Moabelo is one of a kind, and this season has the potential to end in happiness and tears due to the fact that two of his clubs are fighting for league honours, while the other is flirting with relegation. Soccer Laduma spoke to the experienced sportscaster to talk about his love affair with three clubs.
Firstly, talk to us about this strange combination of clubs you support.
I know, a lot of people usually ask what's wrong with me when I say I support Napoli. It has a lot to do with (Diego) Maradona, in the early 80s. That's when I started supporting Napoli, because I am a big Maradona fan. I didn't even know about Napoli until Maradona joined them and in 1987, they won the league and again in 1990, and it looks like they will win it again this year and we will win the (UEFA) Champions League as well. The (quarterfinal) draw is favourable. I think I was seven or eight at the time and that's when I made choices of teams to support. Around that same time, Swallows had the team with the likes of Shakes Mashaba, Joel 'Ace' Mnini, 'Vader' Moposho, (Trott) Moloto... That is the Swallows I remember - the one with the surnames starting with 'M'. That's as far as my memory takes me, when I was aware that I support this team. I am part of that generation where I had posters of Maradona, Tony Adams and Marks Maponyane and all those guys.
How have you dealt with the transition from the old Moroka Swallows to the Swallows FC we see today, because some people feel like it's not the same?
Swallows, for me, is in my blood. Two of my uncles played for Swallows. One of them, played for Moroka Swallows Babes. Remember there was a Big 15 and Babes. I don't fully know the story, but it's one of those stories that get told during Christmas time. Everyone tells me that Serge Moabelo was a great player, but I think he had injuries and didn't really have a good career. But also, Trott Moloto is my uncle and remember he also played for Swallows for a while and I think that's where the Swallows thing came in for me. My father also supported Swallows. The Swallows transition was hard and, what's worse, I was working at that time. I remember doing an interview with Roger de Sa. I remember Roger de Sa was hurt because he relegated Swallows. Remember he played for Swallows and it was such a painful occasion. I remember we had it in the bag and then Greg Etafia made a silly mistake at the end and then we lost. It was hard to stay with the team and they went all the way down (to the ABC Motsepe League). The heart chooses what it wants. Whether it's the real Swallows or not, I am still attached to the brand.
How do you feel now that there is a possibility that Swallows could get relegated?
Something needs to be done. I don't know if it's a money or a management thing. I suspect if Swallows disappear this time, it will be for good. I honestly don't see us coming back again. It's worrying. (Ernst) Middendorp left recently and we don't know whether we are coming or going. It's definitely worrying. Swallows is a top eight team and a team that challenges for the title. Remember that season when Gordon Igesund pushed Pirates all the way to the last game (2011/12)? That's the Swallows that we know.
Given that you are in the football industry as a sportscaster, do you ever speak to Swallows chairman David Mogashoa and raise your concerns?
Mogashoa and I are close. I do, but at the end of the day, whether he listens or not, we don't know. And remember, I am only raising them as a fan. I can only suggest. That's where it ends.
You openly support Swallows, so how do you deal with supporters who may say you are not doing your work objectively when you speak about the Dube Birds?
Luckily, because it's Swallows, I don't get that much pressure. If it was Chiefs, Pirates or Sundowns... I've been accused of supporting the top three because of comments that you make. You tweet and say 'this Sundowns team is hot' and then people respond and say 'we've been seeing you'. Or if you tweet something like 'the Chiefs defence is nonsense' and then people say 'you are a Pirates fan'. When I tell people I support Swallows, they tell me I am lying and say I am choosing the safer option. Also, I have been doing this for long, so I am no longer worried about what people say.
Do you collect Swallows jerseys?
Yes, I do. I have Swallows and Arsenal jerseys, but I have struggled with Napoli jerseys. But beyond this, I collect jerseys of other teams. Beyond me being a Swallows fan, I am a football fan.
Have you received a jersey from a Swallows fan?
Now that you ask, no. I normally get replica jerseys from the club, but not directly from a player. Maybe I should have just asked.
Let's move on to table-topping Arsenal. How are the nerves doing now that there are 10 games to go in the English Premiership?
You know the way Arsenal has broken my heart too many times, a part of me is now starting to believe. But it's a small part. I think the universe is conspiring in our favour. I think I'll start believing with five games to go. If we go to City with a five point lead on April 26, then the league is ours.
How would you celebrate if Arsenal won the title?
I would go to Emirates. I would use my kids' school fees money to go, just to be there. I haven't been to Emirates in a long time, but I would definitely go. If we go into the last game and the title is already in the bag, I would definitely go. My kids will forgive me.
