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‘LEOPARD RECALL, NO FUSS’

15/11/2020 05:44:00 BY CHRIS DLAMINI

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BY CHRIS DLAMINI

MBABANE – He has achieved a lot as a player and as a coach - the youngest coach at the time, he led police side to an elite quadruple, a side he won and lost trophies with since his playing and coaching career, the latter coming in 2013/14 to 2017/18.

He also played for the national teams from under-17s to the senior squad, Sihlangu Semnikati.

That is former gifted winger Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane, now a coach with Tinyosi FC, who just gained promotion to the top flight. Learn more from Nuro below;

Who is Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane and where are you from in a few words?

I am a humble person from Malindza, Mfelafutsi and I grew up at Simunye Village.

Share your football background to the present time. Where did it all start?

It all started in Simunye at the age of seven. I played for Sizakancane FC juniors coached by Bomber then moved to Simunye FC at the age of 15 before Royal Leopard. I also played for all the national squads until an injury forced me to retire in 2010. That’s when I started coaching. I was fitness coach at Royal Leopard then assistant coach in 2011 and head coach from 2013-2017-18 seasons.

What has football as a sport done for you that you can say is a lifetime treasure?

Football gave me life and people know me today because of football...it taught me teamwork, psychological endurance, leadership, discipline while it also paid my school fees from Form I to Form V and I am able to provide for myself and family because of football bro.

You are the only coach in the country to have won a quadruple in a season, what was the secret at Leopard back then?

Unity bhutwam, hardwork, discipline and dedication.

You helped Tinyosi gain elite promotion as runners-up last season, where does that put you in matches against Leopard?

Hahaha, Leopard are my parent team and I was loaned to Tinyosi. I got a blessing from the Leopard family to go and work for Tinyosi bro.

Would you return to Leopard as coach again especially with the speculation out there?

Bro, I was loaned to Tinyosi and when my parent team feels like recalling me one day then I cannot fuss about that but for now, I am with the bees (Tinyosi).

Your best and worst moments as a player, do you remember it?

My best moment as a player was when we won a treble in 2006 and I was the captain. Also, winning the league three times in 2006,2007 and 2008 in a row also as a captain while my worst moment was losing in EswatiniBank Cup finals to Malanti Chiefs in 2008, yoh that day!

Your best and worst moments as a coach?

My best moment was winning four trophies in one season plus winning the league three times in a row. Worst moment, yoh, losing in Ingwenyama Cup finals to Mbabane Swallows in my last season at Leopard and a goal was disallowed which could have given us a 2-0 lead. That was very painful.

The country’s giant teams Highlanders and Swallows have dominated the transfer market, what kind of competition can we expect in the new season even though without fans?

It will be very tough especially with the new psychological adjustment. I just hope we adapt quickly as teams.

Your message to the young and upcoming athletes?

Discipline is the bridge to success; train hard everyday then results will come easy. Know that humanity is greater than status, meaning they must never grow big heads and become arrogant as that will hinder their progress. Always be humble and be eager to learn everyday.