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FA TO RENEW PAPIC’S CONTRACT

03/09/2019 09:06:00 Ashmond Nzima

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LOBAMBA – Sihlangu coach Kostadin Papic has been assured of a contract extension by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA).

In reaction to last week’s report by this publication, suggesting a delay in keeping Papic on board; EFA President Adam ‘Bomber’ allayed fears that his office was dilly-dallying on the issue. He was speaking during a farewell function of the national soccer outfit ahead of a trip to Djibouti at the EFA Technical Centre in Lobamba on Sunday. “The media has surprisingly shown a keen interest in the issue. We met the coach and assured him of a contract extension. “We’re happy with the coach. We now have to finalise the terms, but that is an administrative issue,” said Mthethwa. The contract was supposed to end in December 2019.

In the past week, Papic had told the Times Sports Desk that he had already rejected three job offers from other national teams in the continent as he wanted to finish the Sihlangu project he started. “My first option is to stay. There are three major reasons. I don’t want to give glory to somebody else; I have a fantastic relationship with my players and I have started something. I think I have not reached the level where these players have to deliver. I want my players to put this country on the map of the world,” he was quoted saying. While on board, the former Orlando Pirates gaffer helped Sihlangu to go past the first two rounds of the African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifiers for the first time in their history. They eliminated Malawi and Angola.

They need to beat Zambia in two-legged fixtures between this month and October to earn a ticket to the CHAN finals in Cameroon. Mthethwa, on the other hand, expressed hope that Sihlangu would grind the win on the road. “We have confidence in the coach and the players. We want to be counted among the best in Africa. “We cannot be beaten by Djibouti,” he said.
The team left by road on Sunday and connected a flight in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday. They will play their game tomorrow at 5pm local time. They are expected back home on Saturday.