Lefa Tsutsulupa calls for heart at Birds

He said this yesterday at the draw of the Gauteng Cup, which will be played on July 19 at Lucas Moripe Stadium where Swallows will face Mamelodi Sundowns while SuperSport United will do battle with the University of Pretoria in the other semifinal.

Winners of both matches will face each other in the final at 4pm that day.

The 34-year-old defender, who has been with the club for close to a decade, has seen another exodus of players leaving Swallows for greener pastures. Levy Mokgothu signed for Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs while Asavela Mbekile joined big-spending Sundowns.

“It is difficult to get players who love clubs,” Tsutsulupa said.

“For players nowadays, it is about who offers the best deal. It is no longer about falling in love with the team.

“The club needs to get players who will die for the club.”

The cash-strapped side has had to rely on loan deals or free agents to compete. Lucky Baloyi joined the outfit on loan from Amakhosi and Tsutsulupa has praised the acquisition of the midfielder.

“He is going to give us a lot,” Tsutsulupa said. “Here at Swallows, I wouldn’t say there is no pressure, but players are free to express themselves. He will definitely come out of his shell.”