The PSL has approved the sale of Moroka Swallows top-flight status to Marumo Gallants owner Abram Sello, FARPost has learnt.
This publication reported three weeks ago that Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, the individual behind the Motsepe Foundation Championship club, had become the leading contender to acquire the Dube Birds franchise.
According to a source, Sello offered a sum exceeding Swallows’ initial asking price of R40 million. After negotiations, the parties finalised the agreement and awaited the PSL’s approval to proceed.
The latest updates received by this website suggest that PSL has given the nod for the deal acquisition to proceed.
However, there is still uncertainty surrounding whether Sello will modify the name “Moroka Swallows” to match his present club’s name, “Marumo Gallants,” and whether the club will undergo relocation to a different region.
WHAT DID ABRAM SELLO SAY WHEN CONTACTED?
When FARPost contacted him for a comment, Sello said, “I’m sorry, I can’t speak to the media for now”.
This website has further learned that Gallants players were called to attend a meeting on Wednesday, 25 June, the purpose of which remained undisclosed.
As previously reported, Sello, a businessman and pharmacist from Sekhukhune, was not the only prospective buyer.
Lawrence Mulaudzi, the former owner of Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila, also had discussions with the Soweto-based outfit.
Cape Town Spurs were said to have enquired about the sale of the club, even though they did not display a significant interest in purchasing it.
Additionally, Maritzburg United chairman Farouk Kadodia has been interested in acquiring Swallows’ status since midseason, when news broke that the Dube Birds were considering selling.
A few weeks ago, it was understood that the owner of Team of Choice had been actively seeking a buyer for the Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit, as he was aiming to return to the DStv Premiership.
Nevertheless, considering the reported successful Swallows sale to Sello, the question arises as to who might be inclined to sell a top-flight status to the Kadodia. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether he will still push to get rid of the second-tier status.
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