By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Panyaza Lesufi has stepped down as president of Swallows FC after his election as Gauteng provincial chair for the African National Congress (ANC).
Lesufi was part of a consortium that bought the First Division (NFD) franchise of Maccabi FC in 2019, helping resurrect the Birds after they plunged as far as the third-tier ABC Motsepe League after their relegation fro the DStv Premiership in 2014-15.
Swallows had a good campaign in the country’s first league and won automatic promotions to the premiership where they have had both good and bad fortunes for the past two years.
But with Lesufi being provincial ANC chair, he is in line to be the next premier of Gauteng and will lead the party’s electioneering campaign from next year until the 2024 elections.
“With my new responsibilities, today, painfully so, I had to resign my position as president of Swallows FC,” wrote Lesufi on his social media platforms on Sunday.
“I wish the team well. Don’t follow me, follow the birds,” he added. Swallows will definitely miss Lesufi’s leadership especially after surviving a nervous season where they avoided relegation through the playoffs.
His presence in the playoffs games is said to have been a big influence in the team managing to do well in the playoffs.