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‘KOKI’ FOR ‘WESLIANS’

21/12/2018 00:39:00 BY THEMBA ZWANE

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MBABANE – Fresh from being sacked at Mbabane Swallows, Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati is set to be unveiled as Manzini Wanderers head coach.

The Times Sports Desk has it in good authority that the former Swallows gaffer will soon be unveiled as the hub giants mentor following fruitful talks between the two parties.

According to impeccable sources, Wanderers management has already concluded talks with Vilakati over a switch to the side.
“Vilakati will soon be unveiled as the team head coach. The team and the coach have reached an agreement over taking over the reins at Wanderers,” impeccable sources confided.

It has also been reliably gathered by this publication that management of the team has met with Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe to inform him that they appreciated all he has done for the team and it was time for the parties to part ways.

According to impeccable sources, an official unveiling of ‘Koki’ as Wanderers coach will be done next week.
Sought for comment, Wanderers’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat Mahlalela insisted that only after his office had received a formal correspondence on the subject matter he will then officially comment.

However, in a previous interview, Mahlalela disclosed that it was true that the team will be undergoing administrative changes. When contacted for a comment, Hlophe said he did not have a problem if Wanderers took a decision to let him go.

contributed

“If they feel that I have contributed enough, then I am okay with it,” said Hlophe briefly.
Vilakati, who returns to Wanderers in over five years, on the other hand, requested not to comment as he highlighted that he knew that a lot of coaches based locally will panic after his sacking at Swallows.

“I knew a number of coaches will panic, out of respect for my colleagues, may I not comment on the matter,” he said briefly.
Vilakati is the most successful coach at Swallows.

He guided the capital giants to two consecutive league titles. He has also successfully defended the Ingwenyama Cup on three occasions. He also won the Swazi Bank, Swazi Telecom Charity cup twice, Castle Premier Challenge and King’s Cup.
He also guided the ‘Birds’ to group stages in the CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Champions League in 2016/17 and 2017/18 season respectively.
On the other hand, Hlophe is one of the coaches who are heavily linked with Swallows replacing Vilakati for the hot seat of head coach.
If Hlophe replaces Vilakati at Swallows, he will be re-uniting with the ‘Beautiful birds’, as he is the one who left the post for Vilakati in January 2016.
Wanderers, who are beginning life under South Africa-based businessman, Mehluli Nhlengetfwa, are in a restructuring process after performing poorly of late.
They are currently third from the bottom of the league charts with only 12 points after 13 games. They have lost seven games, won three and drew three.