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COACH PAPIC AT MAYALUKA TODAY

05/01/2019 10:59:00 By Chris DLAMINI

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MBABANE – Players involved in the Ingwenyama Cup Last 16 fixtures at Mayaluka Stadium in Big Bend should be ready to impress national team coach Kostadin Papic.

The new Sihlangu coach from Serbia, who is well travelled, having worked in Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania and Nigeria, will watch the fixtures between Tambuti FC and Young Buffaloes at 3:30pm as well as the clash between Royal Leopard and Manzini Wanderers at 5:30pm.

“He is expected to be here late today (yesterday) but I can tell you he’s going to be at Mayaluka Stadium for the Ingwenyama Cup games,” said an impeccable source. The source said Papic was set to arrive around 7pm yesterday. Papic also confirmed he was coming for the matches when questioned if he already left for Eswatini to be on time for the games. “I’m coming for the matches, coming for a tournament. I will be there,” he said.

Asked which games he would go to, especially because the big teams that usually produce national team players were all engaged in today’s games and that is where he could start for quality and young players from development structures, he minced no words that it all had to do with quality.

“That’s exactly what I want to see. I will be in the stadium tomorrow (today),” he said without confirming he would be at Mayaluka Stadium.

After watching these games, he will tomorrow be at the Somhlolo National Stadium for the double-header where young Manzini Sundowns’ goalkeeper Lwethu Simelane could catch the eye of the gaffer when his side stands up against Lubombo Super League outfit, Ubombo Flyers at 4pm. Elite rookies Mbabane Citizens will also have the opportunity to showcase their stars before the new Sihlangu coach against First Division League side Tinyosi FC at 2pm. He will then wait until the MTN Premier League fixtures next weekend to watch more teams and assess the quality standard and amount of work he has in his performance-based one-year renewable contract.
Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe was still on holiday when called and only returning to work next Monday. However, he still checked with his superiors. “What I am getting is that he is expected to arrive next Monday,” he said.
He said that was the official position from the EFA office as much as he understood this publication got it from the coach that he was going to be here one way or the other by this afternoon. Contrary to the EFA’s Monday expectation, the coach finally made it to the country last evening as per his word.
Meanwhile, Papic has the final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cup 2019 qualifier game against Tunisia in March 22-26 as well as the COSAFA Cup in December and probably the AFCON Cup 2021 qualifiers.