VELA KA-SIHLANGU!

MBABANE – The search for new Sihlangu coach Kostadin Papic’s assistant is over.

National Under-17s coach Velekhaya Mthethwa, who recently parted ways with Manzini Wanderers, has reportedly been appointed new Sihlangu assistant coach. Wanderers gaffer Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati and Young Buffaloes’ Dominic Kunene had also been tipped for the post.

“His experience with the national junior squads, especially the Under-17s, earned Mthethwa the post, as Papic wanted to work with a development coach,” alleged an impeccable source.

In the past weekend’s Ingwenyama Cup matches, Mthethwa was seated with Papic, as they watched the games at Somhlolo Somhlolo National Stadium. During Sunday’s matches, Mthethwa was seen collecting team lists of Mbabane Highlanders and Matsapha United, who were in action in one of the quarter-final fixtures.

Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer, Muzi Radebe said his office was yet to learn about the appointment, but confirmed that the two were together at the stadium.

“Maybe they were networking, but we’re working on a press conference to shed light regarding the issues of the national team,” he said.
Sought for comment, Papic, in a text message, confirmed that Mthethwa was now his assistant, without giving further details.

Mthethwa, who steered the junior squad to a bronze medal in the Region V Games in Botswana last month, had first said he just chose to seat next to Papic. When pressed further, he said he was with the Serbia-born mentor because he (Mthethwa) was also working with national team junior squads. He referred further comments to Papic.

Meanwhile, Kunene, who is one of the coaches who was allegedly shortlisted for the post, could not be drawn for comment as his phone rang unanswered.
Reports, on the other hand, further suggest that Mbabane Swallows’ fitness coach Siyabonga Bhembe, has been appointed ahead of Christian Thwala to perform the same duties at Sihlangu. However, the former said he was yet to learn about the latest developments.

Papic was appointed Sihlangu coach late last month. His first major assignment will be selecting a national side to do duty in Tunisia during a ‘dead rubber’ Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in March.

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