Players Column by Shaun Haschick

Added: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 (09:39)

Seasons greetings to all Mswai-swai fans. It seems like the season started just yesterday and already we find ourselves nearing the halfway mark. We are sitting in a good position to make a run at a top 3 finish and who knows, with the right mix of luck and teamwork we could find ourselves crowned as the league champions this season.

These past 5 months have been exciting for every member of the squad. Not only have we welcomed new foreign players but also a completely new techinical staff. The first thing the coaching staff set about to do was change the traditional playing style of Swallows into a more fluid and modern passing game.

We have spent many hours and hours practicing our formations and tactics and the players have grasped onto Coach Leal's philosophies. This can be seen by the fantastic results we have achieved over some tough league opposition this season so far with some great performances.

There will be rough patches in any campaign and especially where new players, new technical staff and new tactics come into play. I believe that we have made a solid start and are definitely starting to gel as a team. The recent victory over Sundowns can bear testamony to this as we outplayed them with their own “Piano and Shoeshine” carpet football. Out passing was crisp and accurate and we never allowed them to play when they had the ball. This was a fantastic team effort and I'm sure that every Swallows fan is bursting with pride, just as the players are too.

The next game to come will be a tough one and facing the defending league champions Supersport which is never an easy task. We will treat this game just as any other game, a must win cup final because that is how games and leagues are won, taking it one step at a time. I think that this season everyone in South African football has had their views and opinions changed as to regards to the image of Moroka Swallows.

This year every team sees us as a threat and gives their best against us. I see this as a the beginning of a new era of football for Swallows that will see the team return to their rightful place as one of the powerhouses of South African football and once again be feared and respected as one of the giants of Soweto.

The team spirit in the squad has been outstanding so far and this passion and dedication runs through the entire team from the players to the coaching staff, the equiment mangers all the way through to the drivers and ballboys. This is something we plan on building and strengthening and is key to what we want to achieve as a team and as a football brand.

The last thing the players shout in chorus together before they take the field to fight for the cause is; “All for one, one for all!” This is what drives us to go onto the field and give our best for the team, you the supporters, and our ourselves. For everyone involved at Swallows, this is not a job it’s our passion and we do it because we love it. We love being part of something as special as the Birds, and value that it is something that few ever get the chance to experience.

I for one am extremely proud to be a part of something so great, something so full of history and most importantly something that means so much to so many people. Moroka Swallows is more than just a football team, it’s a family. We are the birds and we flock together, now and forever.

I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a blessed Christmas and a wonderful new year. We want you always to be part of this great family that is Swallows, so please be responsible over the holiday season and don’t drink and drive. Take care of yourself and each other as we look towards a fantastic new year for all who’s blood is maroon and white.

Shaun Haschick