SOCCER – Former minister of sports, culture and youth affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga, widely regarded as the most successful Sihlangu coach of the past decade, is among just 10 locally qualified candidates for the vacant senior national team job.
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has opened applications for the head coach position, requiring a minimum CAF A or Pro Licence plus at least 10 years’ experience in both club and national team football.
Bulunga came agonisingly close to qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and guided the side to the COSAFA Cup semi-finals in 2016 – a period that also saw Sihlangu climb to their highest-ever FIFA ranking of 88th.
Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane, who served as interim coach recently, has yet to decide on applying.
“I will see before the deadline whether I apply or not,” he said.
Dominic Kunene has already ruled himself out. He disclosed that he would not apply, saying he felt it was time for new blood to take over at the helm.
“I think it is time to give other coaches a chance to prove themselves,” he said.
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The deadline for applications is this Friday, with the successful candidate expected to take charge for the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup in May.
EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said the recruitment was being handled professionally.
“We are handling the recruitment in a professional manner just like in any other organisation. So we cannot disclose applicants. It is only after the whole process is finished where the unveiling of the new coach will take place in a press conference,” he said.
Only 10 of the 21 coaches who earned their CAF A Licence a decade ago have remained active with clubs.
The appointment comes as some observers suggest foreign coaches often command greater instant respect from players due to their exposure to more advanced football environments. The EFA, however, is clearly giving serious consideration to home-grown talent.
The full list of locally qualified candidates (CAF A Licence holders active with clubs over the past decade):
- Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane
- Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga
- Dominic Kunene
- Musa Manyatsi
- Edwin Matsebula
- Caleb Ngwenya
- Friday ‘Paras’ Myeni
- Anthony Mdluli
- Dumsani ‘DU’ Makhanya
- Nokuthula Dlamini
