SOCCER – The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has avoided paying an estimated E325 000 in coaching salaries over the past five months as Sihlangu remain without a permanent technical team.
The senior national team has been without a permanent coaching structure since its last competitive assignment in March, when Sihlangu were eliminated by Eritrea in the preliminary round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The monthly remuneration for the senior national team technical team was reportedly in the region of E65 000. At that rate, the five-month period without a permanent team translates to approximately E325 000 in salaries that have not been paid.
Eritrea defeated Sihlangu 2-0 in the first leg in Morocco on March 25 before securing a 2-1 victory at Somhlolo National Stadium on March 31 to advance 4-1 on aggregate.
The last interim technical team was headed by Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Dlamini as head coach, with Musa Manyatsi as assistant coach. Anthony Mdluli served as goalkeeper coach, while Dennis ‘Denmark’ Fakudze was the physical conditioning coach.
The prolonged absence of a permanent technical team has, however, raised questions over the national side’s preparations, particularly with Sihlangu expected to rely on international friendly matches for activity before the next AFCON qualifying campaign and potentially the COSAFA Cup next year.
The matter has also attracted attention in the Senate, where members of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs’ portfolio committee questioned when a new coach would be appointed and whether government could assist with the coach’s remuneration.
Senator Lizzie Nkosi, supported by Deputy Senate President Ndumiso Mdluli, asked Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Bongani Nzima when the new coach would be appointed and whether the ministry could take responsibility for his salary.
Mdluli argued that government support could help the country attract a coach capable of improving Sihlangu’s fortunes.
“To get the best coach and achieve the desired results for the national team, it will be wise to have his salary catered for by the government,” he said.
Senate Chief Kekela Dlamini also expressed concern over Sihlangu’s performances, saying they were “bringing tears daily to Emaswati”.
Responding to the concerns, Nzima said the appointment process was being handled in phases, with affordability forming part of the considerations.
“The coaches have been shortlisted and the new Sihlangu coach will be announced next month. The EFA budget is too low to get us a proper coach who can get us back to winning ways; hence, I appreciate the suggestion to have his salary catered for by the ministry so that we can fire when there is underperformance,” Nzima said.
The minister’s comments highlight the financial challenge facing the EFA as it seeks a coach capable of leading Sihlangu back to competitiveness.
Senator Celumusa Mdvoti, who chairs the Senate Portfolio Committee, meanwhile, argued that Eswatini has capable local coaches who could be developed and exposed to high-level coaching environments.
While the absence of a permanent technical team has meant the EFA has avoided an estimated E325 000 coaching bill since March, the bigger question now is how quickly a new coach can be appointed and whether the financial constraints can be resolved without compromising Sihlangu’s preparations for future international assignments.
