EGYPT APPOINT EX-MADRID COACH FOR SIHLANGU MATCH

MBABANE – Mexican Javier Aguirre will lead the ‘Pharaohs’ of Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign against Sihlangu.

Aguiree, who played for his country at the 1986 World Cup and coached them in 2010, stepped into the shoes of Hector Cuper, who left the North African giants after a disastrous campaign at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. According to various media sites that include the FIFA website, Aguirre has signed a four-year contract that will earn him a monthly salary of US$120 000 (about E1.6 million). That country’s football association made the announcement on Wednesday.

The 59-year-old Aguirre, according to the media reports, previously coached the Japanese national team and Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Espanyol.
“His first assignment with Egypt will be to qualify for next year’s African Nations Cup finals,” read the posted information in part.
A tentative date for the showdown between Egypt and Eswatini is October 10. The sides last met in an international friendly match back in March 2013 and Egypt recorded an unbelievable 10-0 win.

In 34 days, Sihlangu are expected to resume their AFCON qualifying drive against Tunisia. The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) is yet to come out clear on who will lead the side. Currently in charge is Anthony Mdluli, who was initially said to be temporarily calling the shots. During the EFA annual general meeting about a month ago, EFA President Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa had said a permanent coach would be appointment at the end of July 2018. Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said his office was yet to learn about changes in the national side. An insider at Sihlangu also said the football mother body was yet to communicate any changes.

 Sihlangu only played a single match in the qualifiers and got a point away in the goal-less draw against Niger in June last year. The two top teams after the qualifying matches will get a ticket to the AFCON finals in Cameroon next year.

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