Mbabane: Like a casino door, the Eswatini National Team Sihlangu Semnikati coaching job entrance and exit point is forever revolving.
Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu announced Dominic Kunene as the new Sihlangu Head Coach back in February in a hastily arranged press briefing at Somhlolo National Stadium. The former Young Buffaloes strategist effectively becomes the 23rd Sihlangu coach since year 2000.
This means that there have been 23 Sihlangu coaches in just 20 years. Mathematically broken down, a Sihlangu coach last for just over eight months averagely.
Kunene who was riding the crest at Buffaloes, having led them to EswatiniBank Cup triumph, earning a ticketing in the continental Total CAF Confederation Cup and also won the MTN League first round incentive is assisted by Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini, who was elevated from his national Under-20 duties.
Former national team interim coach Anthony Mdluli was named as goalkeeper coach while Sihlangu legendary striker Mbuso Gina scooped the vacant post of physical trainer.
The announcement by Mngomezulu followed the EFA decision not to renew Serbian coach Kostadin Papic’s contract when it elapsed in December 2019.
However, Kunene is yet to lead Sihlangu in an official or less friendly match following the global break of the coronavirus pandemic.
LIST OF SIHLANGU COACHES SINCE YEAR 2000
Zambia, Francis Banda (1998-2000)
Eswatini, Dumisa Mahlalela (2001-2002)
Eswatini, Mandla Dlamini (2003)
Zambia, Francis Banda (2003)
Germany, Werner Bicklehaput (2003)
Eswatini, Dumisa Mahlalela (2004)
Zambia, Francis Banda (2005)
Belgium, Jan Van Winckel (2006)
Egypt, Ayman Elyamany (2006-2007)
Eswatini, Martin Shabangu (2007, caretaker)
Switzerland, Raoul Savoy (2007-2008)
South Africa, Ephraim Mashaba (2008-2010)
Eswatini, Musa Zwane (2010-2011)
Eswatini, Obed Mlotsa (2011)
Eswatini, Caleb Ngwenya (2011-2012, caretaker)
Belgium, Valere Billen (2012-2013)
Eswatini, Harries Bulunga (2013-2016)
Eswatini, Anthony Mdluli (2017)
Netherlands, Pieter de Jongh (2017-2018)
Eswatini, Anthony Mdluli (2018, caretaker)
Serbia, Kostadin Papic (2019)
Eswatini, Dominic Kunene (2020)
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