Manzini Sea Birds F.C.

Sea Birds
Full nameManzini Sea Birds Football Club
NicknameBirds
Founded1987
GroundMavuso Sports Centre
Manzini, Eswatini
Capacity5,000
ChairmanPeter Simelane (2013)[1]
LeaguePremier League of Eswatini
2025–262nd of 14

Manzini Sea Birds FC is an Eswatini football club based in Manzini.[2]

History

The club was founded 1987.[3] For most of its history, the Seabirds played in the Swazi First Division,[4] but was promoted to the Premier League of Eswatini in 2012.[5]

In 2018, they won the First Division title to earn another top-flight promotion.[6] Star forward Muzi Tsabedze tied for the league's top scorer and earned player of the year honors.[7]

The team finished second in the 2025–26 season, their highest league finish to date.[8]

Stadium

The team plays its home matches at the 5000 capacity Mavuso Sports Centre.[9]

Notable players

Below is a list of notable players who have earned international caps while playing with the club.

Notable coaches

  • Van Royen Magagula (2013)[14]
  • Sihle Mavimbela (2013)[15]
  • Zenzele 'Ace' Dlamini (2014)[16]

Youth academy

Since 2011 the club holds with the Ishibobo Soccer Academy (ISA), a talent scouting sports academy in Manzini. ISA serves as the under-20 football team of the club.[17] Ishibobo plays its home matches at the Zakhele Sports Ground.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Sea Birds boss is new Manzini FA chairman". comesaria.org. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  2. ↑ "Eswatini - Manzini Sea Birds FC - Results and fixtures - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  3. ↑ "Manzini Sea Birds FC - eSwatini - Manzini Sea Birds Football Club - Club Profile, Club History, Club Badge, Results, Fixtures, Historical Logos, Statistics". weltfussballarchiv.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  4. ↑ "Swaziland 2010/11". RSSSF. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  5. ↑ "Swaziland 2011/12". RSSSF. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  6. ↑ Ntiwane, Qondile (14 May 2018). "SEA BIRDS CROWNED MTN NFD CHAMPS". Eswatini Observer. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  7. ↑ "MANDLA PALMA AND MUZI TSABEDZE ARE THE BEST PLAYERS FOR THE 2017/18 FOOTBALL SEASON". Eswatini Football Association. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  8. ↑ "New trophy, same 'Y'ello' champs :: Sports News | Times of Eswatini". www.times.co.sz. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  9. ↑ Ntiwane, Dumisani (11 November 2013). "'BIRDS', 'WESLIANS' TUMBLE". Times of Swaziland. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  10. ↑ Manzini Sea Birds F.C. at National-Football-Teams.com
  11. ↑ Manzini Sea Birds F.C. at National-Football-Teams.com
  12. ↑ Manzini Sea Birds F.C. at National-Football-Teams.com
  13. ↑ Manzini Sea Birds F.C. at National-Football-Teams.com
  14. ↑ "Sea Birds' Van Rooyen is new Pirates coach!". Eswatini Observer. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  15. ↑ "sea birds reject coach 'ace'!". Eswatini Observer. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  16. ↑ "Zambian Coach Chris Tembo has been fired by Mbabane Swallows with immediate effect". Lusaka Voice. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  17. ↑ "Ishibobo S. Academy (@Ishibobo) - Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  18. ↑ Academy, Ishibobo S. (24 December 2012). "10am..29/12/2012 @ Zakhele Sports Ground Ishibobo Academy u-19 vs Excelsior Academy..in respect of de late Ishibobo player." twitter.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
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