‘HE WAS ONCE ATTACHED TO KAIZER CHIEFS’

Sports Editor

MBABANE – Dearly departed Eswatini’s most decorated coach, Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati, was once attached to Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs, in the early 1990s.

This was revealed by Kaizer Chiefs legend and Eswatini born winger, Abel ‘Chaklas’ Shongwe, who penned a moving tribute to the late Vilakati who passed away last Thursday evening while undergoing treatment at Lubombo Referral hospital in Siteki.

“Koki was not just a friend of mine but we grew up together at Highlanders and very few people know he even came to Kaizer Chiefs for attachment when he was studying for a Marketing Course in Johannesburg. He had a passion for coaching I have not seen in many people and he was even attached to the Ted Dumitru Academy and I learnt a lot from him,” Shongwe said.

saddened

Ted Dumitru was a Romanian football manager who not only coached the national team, Sihlangu, but all three top SA sides, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
“I am saddened by Koki’s demise because he lived for the game and he was still to contribute more to Eswatini football. Eswatini football will not be the same without Koki,” Shongwe said.

Vilakati, who will be laid to rest at his parental home at Ensenga after a morning service slated for 5am, was born on November 3, 1964 – a son of Mahhelane Vilakati and Makhosazane Dlamini – began his education at Qedusizi Primary school and completed his education at Mbabane Central High School. At the time of his death he was working for Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) in the Access Control department.
A memorial service is slated for Mbabane Alliance Church today, starting at noon.

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