If there has been any doubt that Gordon Igesund can turn player’s career’s around, then look no further than Lerato Chabangu.

Gifted with skill, talent and pace, he has often found himself on the wrong thanks to a spate of alleged ill-discipline stints. But having been given a new lease of life by Igesund, he has been a catalyst at the Birds nest – a marvel to watch and a general in the midfield.

On Friday night, in their 5-2 over Black Leopards, he swapped from the wing to the heart of the midfield – a task he performed with aplomb.

Now there is a realistic chance that Chabangu and his Swallows teammates might end the season with an Absa Premiership medal. But he is the first to downplay that.

The Birds are currently in second spot with 50 points; just two points behind Orlando Pirates. The former Mamelodu Sundowns player produced a ‘MVP’ performance that enabled his side to keep their title hopes alive and in turn keep the pressure on Pirates.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure on us at the moment,” Chabangu said after the match.

“We are not the one on top of the log at the moment. The pressure is on the team above us because they have to make sure that they keep winning, because if they don’t, we will do our job and results will follow.”

“I think we felt a bit of that (pressure) tonight here in Giyani, because everyone knows that this is not an easy place to come and collect points, but we did. That’s something that isn’t easy to deal with knowing you’re supposed to win and not only win, but win convincingly, because goal difference might come into play at the end. We like the spot we’re in and we’re just going to keep working.”

Meanwhile, Chabangu’s performance drew praise from his assistant coach, Zeca Marques.

“He has been outstanding. I mean the guy started the season a bit slow, but he has grown in confidence and that has made our job a lot easier, because confidence to a footballer is like oxygen and he has a lot of that right now.

“The whole side has done well for us and it’s pleasing to see the position we are in right now considering our struggles last season.” said Gordon’s number two.

Moroka Swallows skipper Lefa Tsutsulupa believes that they can win the League title this season. 

“We are in a very good position to win the League title this year. When the season started, we were aiming for a top 8 finish. Now things have changed.”

These are the words of Tsutsulupa, who believes his team has the ability to complete their fairytale run by snatching the League title ahead of favourites Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

The Birds are third on the log with 42 points and pose the greatest threat to the title ambitions of Sundowns and Pirates, who are on 46 points.

In a chat with KickOff.com, the Swallows skipper attributes the team’s impressive performance to collective teamwork inspired by an experienced coach.

Veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvete and midfielder David Mathebula have been a major driving force for The Birds, scoring 19 League goals between them.

“We have worked hard as a team and deserve to be third on the log. Everyone has to be given the credit,” says Tsutsulupa, who has signed a new three-year deal with Swallows.

“As players we are focused on going all the way. Why should we think of winning the League next season when we have already built a good platform to achieve that this year?

“What is important is for us to win all our remaining matches,” adds Tsutsulupa.

Swallows meet Pirates in a League match at Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday but will be without Tsutsulupa due to a yellow card suspension.