‘KOKI’ LOOKS SET FOR ‘BIRDS’ RETURN

MBABANE – The return of the prodigal son seems imminent. That could best describe reports that award-winning coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati is set for a sensational return to Mbabane Swallows.

It has been reliably gathered that the former Mbabane Highlanders’ temperamental mentor has reportedly been approached by the red and white glamour giants to take over the head-coaching seat.

Vilakati is currently clubless after parting ways with Highlanders hardly 24 hours after the Mbabane giants lost 0-2 to Green Mamba in the Ingwenyama Cup final at the Somhlolo National Stadium.

Sources closer to the Mbabane giants have confided that current Zambian coach Honour Janza is likely to be redeployed to the position of Technical Director (TD), even though others feel he should be relieved of his duties.

The highly-qualified Janza is currently in his home country due to the suspension of football activities in the country in light of COVID-19.
“Chances of Janza remaining the head coach of Mbabane Swallows are next to zero.

“Actually, there are those saying he should not return from Zambia where he is now.
“Koki is one of the coaches who have been approached already and chances are that he will be unveiled very soon,” our sources revealed.

Gathered

It has also been gathered that Swallows have lined up their former player Mlamuli ‘Sputla’ Zwane as another potential candidate for the coaching position.
Zwane has previously coached and played for the Mbabane giants.
He also held a number of coaching positions in local clubs, including Moneni Pirates where he is a former player, Highlanders and Denver Sundowns among others.

‘Koki’, on the other hand, has also coached a number of local clubs and among those are Manzini Wanderers, Denver Sundowns (Manzini Sundowns then), Green Mamba, Young Buffaloes and Malanti Chiefs.

He also holds the record of being the most successful coach at Swallows after helping them win back-to-back tittles in the domestic front where they dominated for consecutive seasons under the leadership of the late Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze.

He was also the man in charge when Swallows re-wrote football history books by coming close to reaching the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League, bringing down some clubs considered giants of African football.

Vilakati was approached on the reports linking him with a return to Swallows but he asked not to comment.
“The last time I checked, Swallows had a coach in Janza and we have not been told anything suggesting otherwise,” the coach, who is also part of the Eswatini Football Coaches Association (EFCA) said.

A comment was also requested from Swallows’ Marketing and Communications Manager Mancoba Mabuza and in a brief response, he said: “It’s a lie.”
Efforts were made to get a comment from Janza, but he could not be reached as he had not returned messages at the time of compiling this report.

Suggestion

However, in a previous interview with this publication, his comments did not give any suggestion that he is planning a future away from Swallows but the sources are insisting that this decision is still to be communicated to him once everything had been finalised with one of the prospective coaches.

“He will be offered the Technical Director position as a take-or-leave-it deal,” claimed our sources.
It remains to be seen who will be in charge when football authorities declare local football games fit and ready to resume.

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