PAPIC, EFA HEADED FOR ‘DIVORCE’

MBABANE – The ‘marriage’ between the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) and national team head coach Kostadin Papic is headed for a ‘divorce’.

The contract between the two parties ends next month but the two parties have still not reached an agreement on a new offer. Impeccable sources at the EFA have told the Times Sports Desk that the football mother body has tabled an improved offer of E75 000 salary from the current E60 000 he is earning.

Lowly-paid

However, this is still short of what the coach expects as he feels he is amongst the lowly-paid experts in the region with most earning above E100 000 and others even beyond E200 000 monthly. It has also emerged that the Serbian mentor has got offers around the African continent and one of these offers looks quite possible at the moment. However, the country that looks favourites to land Papic cannot be named for now as he continues his talks with the EFA over renewal when his one-year contract runs out next month.

Questioned

He was questioned about the speculation that he could be headed to take over a job in one of the southern Africa countries that made it to the World Cup 2022 Qualifiers continental group stages next year. “Not yet confirmed,” he responded. One of the countries currently looking for a coach is Zambia’s Chipolopolo, who have put up a monthly salary of US$10 000 (about E150 000). Asked if this means he could go, his response was: “Africa my friend, you never know what will happen.”  He also pointed out that because of his belief in the country and its talent, he got several offers before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 Qualifiers but shunned them. “Before I refused offers; big mistake! You guys don’t believe in what I try,” he said.

Shootout

Papic has lost five matches since he took over in January with most of his results being draws and a shootout win against Angola and Malawi in the African Nations Championships (CHAN) 2021 Qualifiers. The latest results are the two AFCON Cup Qualifiers away to Guinea-Bissau and Senegal where Sihlangu lost 3-0 and 4-1 respectively. In reaction to this, EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said the matter was being handled at executive level but once there was anything to tell the public, the EFA would certainly do so.

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