Swazi Observer

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â€˜KOKIâ€™ ACCEPTS BLAME FOR LOSS

By Qondile Ntiwane | 2018-02-23

SOCCER – MBABANE Swallows coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati has taken the blame for the team’s poor performance against Bantu FC.

The local giants lost 1-3 during the second leg of the CAF Champions League clash played at the Somhlolo National Stadium on Wednesday. They, however, advanced to the first round of the Africa tournament on the away goal rule after scoring four goals against the opposition during the first leg of the clash played at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, Lesotho over a week ago.

The coach said during an interview with Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Services (SBIS) yesterday morning, that as coach he took the blame for the team’s disappointing show on the day.

“Firstly, I would like to thank all the supporters, who came to support the team during the game. As coach I do take blame for what happened on the day and would like to apologise to the nation. However, it is important to understand that such things happen in football,” he said.

Asked to elaborate more on the statement by this publication, the coach stated that he was the one responsible for tactics during a game hence he had to take blame in the event things didn’t go well.

“I am the one responsible for fielding and substituting players during a game. If they don’t perform or executive those tactics correctly then I am to blame. But I want to forget about this matter now and concentrate on upcoming games,” he said.

Consequences

The veteran coach also declined to comment on the comments made by lanky attacker Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst, who said it was because of the coach they lost the game.

The Swallows star was not the only one, who blamed the coach for the loss, following his decision to rest Badenhorst for Youngster Sizolwethu Shabangu 15 minutes into the last half, a move whose consequences were almost fatal for the local giants.

“I wouldn’t want to talk about this issue and ask that you contact Zwane for comment,” he said.

However, efforts to get a comment from the General Manager Sandile ‘Beyond 2 000’ Zwane proved futile as his mobile phone rang unanswered when called yesterday. There was also not response to a message sent to the Swallows official at the time of going to print.

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