Birds aim to soar high
2008-07-02 10:40
Johannesburg - Moroka Swallows are aiming to bring back the glory days now that they have secured the services of former Brazil under-20 coach Julio Cesar Leal for the next three years.
Leal replaces Ian Gorowa who struggled in his first season as a head coach after coming through the ranks at Ajax Cape Town where he enjoyed a successful partnership as assistant to highly experienced Muhsin Ertugral.
Leal has a mandate of putting the Birds back on top and Swallows expect success sooner than later.
Said Birds general manager Sipho Xulu on Wednesday: "We are aiming high. "The goal is to win the Premiership. If not in the coming season then soon."
But Xulu also expects Leal to bring back the Birds exciting style of attacking and entertaining soccer played by the Swallows teams in the 1960s, 70s and 80s that won them thousands of supporters in the old days.
But the club fell on hard times both on and off the field.
Said Xulu: "We lost our way as regards our playing style. We forgot our roots. But in Leal we have found a coach who understands what it means to play attractive winning soccer. He is the missing link we were looking for and he will revive Swallows into one of the Premier Soccer League top clubs again."
Tremendous profile
The Birds have been under the shadow of the other two big Soweto clubs Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs and lately Mamelodi Sundowns who have risen to challenge the dominance of the Soweto giants.
Said Xulu: "We will not only challenge for honours but win them. The days of Swallows making up numbers are over. In Leal we have a coach who has a tremendous profile and is the right man to put the club back on the map." Leal won a World Cup with the Brazil under-20 side, he coached leading Brazilian club Flamengo.
He is not stranger to South Africa. He helped save AmaZulu from relegation at the end of the 2007/08 season and is the brother of the current Bafana Bafana assistant coach Jairo Leal.
Leal has brought three Brazilian players with him in defenders Vinicius da Silva, Davi Rancan Afonso and midfielder Igor Alves. The Birds have also signed former South African under-23 winger Ryan Botha from Thanda Royal Zulu and defender Morgan Chivambu from First Division club Winners Park.
Said Xulu: "We are also negotiating to sign a defender and striker from Ghana. Already there is a new exciting buzz at the club. We are looking forward to the season with a lot of anticipation, excitement and expectation."
- SAPA