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BIRDS, â€˜KOKIâ€™ PART WAYS

By Mphikeleli Msibi Sports Editor | 2018-12-14

SOCCER – MBABANE Swallows and coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati’s ‘marriage’ has finally hit the rocks after he was served with a termination letter last night.

In the termination of contract letter from the club (dated December 13, 2018) to the coach it was made clear that the contract had been terminated with immediate effect.

The termination of contract letter titled ‘Without Prejudice’, reads: “Kindly be advised that a sequel to the immediate termination of your contract with Mbabane Swallows Football Club (‘Mbabane Swallows’), the board of Mbabane Swallows has decided to compensate you on a gratuitous basis with E50 000. However, the said gratuity will be paid immediately upon your acceptance of the termination of your services by mutual consent.

“For your information, the board, management, players and the fans will be forever indebted to you for the services that you loyally rendered to the club during your term of employment, hence the gesture of appreciation. We wish you well in your future endeavours.”

According to reliable sources the coach’s contract has been terminated following a fallout with the senior officials of the club. It has been reliably gathered that the decision to terminate ‘Koki’s contract was taken last week.

The source said the Management Committee was instructed to serve the coach with the termination of contract letter.

“The MC was supposed to have given the coach the letter early this week but he was eventually given last night. Goalkeeper coach Musa Manyatsi is expected to take over the ropes until further notice and he will be assisted by the two physical trainers in Siyabonga Bhembe and Etienne Massoye,” the source said. Sought for comment, Mbabane Swallows PRO Jackson Dlamini did not pick up his phone.

Vilakati joined swallows in 2015 after replacing Zambian mentor Christopher ‘Gazza’ Tembo, who was shown the exit door due to a string of poor results. Vilakati has had a successful stint with the capital city giants after winning several trophies including two MTN Premier League titles, three SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup trophies, SwaziBank Cup and two Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup crowns, among others. He has further guided the red and white glamour side to the group stages of the CAF Confed-eration Cup and Champions League respectively within a period of two years.

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