BONGANI MHLONGO IS NEW CITIZENS COACH

MBABANE – Former Moneni Pirates caretaker coach Bongani Mhlongo has found a new home with Mbabane Citizens.

Mhlongo’s leadership at the ‘Buccaneers’ of Moneni has been surrounded by controversy following a short-term contract to lead the ‘Sea Robbers’ until the end of the 2019/20 football season.

He took over from Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini, who was appointed the national team, Sihlangu assistant coach last December.

At Pirates, Mhlongo’s contract as caretaker coach elapsed in June but was not engaged on his future by the team as football was on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was reported to have given the hub giants an ultimatum, either hire him as head coach on a full-time basis or let him go.

According to sources, the former Mbabane Highlanders assistant coach is now officially with ‘Ezinkulu’ as the second-tier side is fondly known.

Drawn for comment on the latest development, Citizens Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sicelo Zwane confirmed the news.

True

“Yes it is true that Bongani Mhlongo is our new coach, there is nothing much to say as we had earlier highlighted that we wanted to strengthen the team ahead of the new season,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Highlanders’ Congolese midfielder Mbaya Katala has also joined the Mbabane Citizens technical team as physical trainer which was also confirmed by Zwane.

The PRO added that they were still to beef up the squad despite that they felt they were racing against time. He said they believed that as Mhlongo was previously with Moneni, he understood the culture of Citizens and would quickly adapt.

He said now that they have strengthened the technical team, they had to work on beefing up the squad in readiness for the start of the 2020/21 football season kicking-off on Saturday.

Meanwhile, former Eswatini international Sibusiso ‘Spoko’ Dlamini is reportedly with Seven Dreams as the new head coach.

When called for comment, the former Kaizer Chiefs striker asked to talk about his appointment at a later stage as he sounded busy.

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