The position of head coach for Sihlangu, Eswatini's senior national soccer team, has been vacant since March 31, when interim coach Sifiso 'Nuro' Ntibane's term ended. Despite this, the team continues to participate in various competitions. The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) had been in the process of hiring a new coach, with Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima assuring the Senate in August that the appointment would be finalized by the end of September.
During the ministry's first-quarter report in the Senate, senators expressed concerns over Sihlangu's performances and called for the appointment of a full-time head coach. They also suggested that the coach's salary be covered by the ministry's budget. Minister Nzima responded by stating that the EFA was already working on hiring a coach and that the process involved several phases, including affordability. He also welcomed the proposal for the ministry to cover the coach's salary.
Minister Nzima had told senators that the coaches had been shortlisted and that the new Sihlangu coach would be announced in September. However, by the end of September, no announcement had been made. EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe confirmed that the recruitment process was still ongoing, but that the focus had shifted to the junior squads, particularly the Under-23 national team, which is currently involved in a qualifying campaign for the AFCON and the Olympic Games.
The Under-23 national team recently beat Malawi 1-0 in the first leg of the qualifying campaign and will host the second leg at Somhlolo National Stadium. While the activities of the junior team have been receiving attention from the EFA, the recruitment process for the senior team coach continues. The EFA has not provided an update on the status of the appointment or a timeline for completion.
Attempts to seek clarification from the ministry's Communications Officer Phumaphi Msweli were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to a questionnaire or phone calls. Senator Celumusa Mdvoti, who chairs the Senate portfolio committee for sports, culture and youth affairs, stated that he was not aware of the progress of the recruitment process and planned to meet with Minister Nzima to discuss the status of the Sihlangu head coaching post.
The delay in appointing a new coach has raised concerns about the team's performance and preparation for upcoming matches. The EFA and the ministry have not provided a clear explanation for the delay or a new timeline for the appointment. The situation has sparked debate about the role of the ministry and the EFA in the recruitment process and the impact on the team's performance.
The issue highlights the challenges faced by Eswatini's national soccer team in preparing for competitions without a permanent head coach. The team's performance and the recruitment process will likely continue to be a topic of discussion in the coming weeks. The ministry and the EFA will need to provide clarity on the status of the appointment and a plan for the team's future.
Key points
- Eswatini's senior national soccer team, Sihlangu, remains without a permanent head coach despite assurances from Sports Minister Bongani Nzima that an appointment would be made by the end of September.
