Times Of Swaziland: GIVE PAPIC A CHANCE - KOKI

GIVE PAPIC A CHANCE - KOKI
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BY CHRIS DLAMINI on 12/09/2019 00:28:00


MBABANE – ‘Let’s support football and not individuals’. That was a
statement by the country’s most decorated coach, Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati in
response to the national team Sihlangu Semnikati supporters who carried placards
calling for the head coach in Serbian Kostadin Papic to be fired.
He was also addressing the question of some coaches seemingly against the Serb
after being one of the coaches called and asked about the situation as Sihlangu
crashed out of the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers at the hands of a less fancied
Djibouti on Tuesday afternoon. Sihlangu failed to win the home match instead
finished goalless when they had lost 1-2 away last Wednesday.
“I didn’t make it to the stadium but saw the match on YouTube and to be
honest truth must be told. We are quick to seek results. Yes, at a higher level
like that there’s too much pressure and expectation but I would say he
deserves to be given a chance.
important
“The argument would be others have been sacked before for lack of results but
our boys are gelling now and they are happy under him. Results are always
important and it’s like coaching the big teams where results matter but
let’s support Papic. I believe the fans were frustrated as it’s been long
since we last had a win,” he said.
When Vilakati was made aware that some local coaches were reluctant to commit
themselves on national team issues for various reasons including the accusation
that Papic has not asked for their assistance among others, he wondered what
that had to do with results.
“In football we chose the wrong sport because everyone’s opinion is right.
Someone will tell you this about a player while another says something else
about same player. Let’s support football and not individuals,” he said.
engage
Vilakati added that no coach was bigger than the other and Papic must also
engage them especially because the players were from the teams they coached.
Meanwhile, Moneni Pirates and National Under-17 coach Gcina ‘Magiyane’
Dlamini, who also missed the match, said it would be folly to relieve Papic of
his duties when all that was needed was support.
“The coach just needs our trust, support and confidence as a nation,” he
said.
Meanwhile, Dlamini’s Pirates will tomorrow take on Vilakati’s former side
Manzini Wanderers in the MTN Premier League at Somhlolo National Stadium. The
latter is linked with a move to his home team, Mbabane Highlanders but denied
any deal was concluded when asked about it yesterday.
Mbabane Swallows’ assistant Musa Manyatsi could only feel for the fans saying
‘it was painful for the fans…looking at the opposition’. There was no
immediate comment from Papic. A few other coaches refused to commit themselves
in national team issues citing different reasons that in more ways than one show
they were not fully behind the Serbian.