By Sibusiso Masilela | 2018-12-19

SOCCER – SERBIAN mentor Kostadin Papic is the new Sihlangu head coach.

The former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs gaffer has agreed to a one-year renewable contract with the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) following a lengthy recruitment exercise.

The 58-year-old takes over the ropes from interim coach Anthony Mdluli, who has since been relieved from the hot seat.

The new coach has beaten several foreign coaches such as Rick Herbet (New Zealand), Mark Harrison (England), Calisto Pasuwa (Zimbabwe) and Moma Madic (Serbia), who had also applied for the post.

Papic’s first assignment would be in February next year during Sihlangu’s last AFCON 2019 qualifier match against Tunisia.

He will further guide the nation’s pride in the 2019 COSAFA Senior Challenge set to be held in June next year in South Africa and the 2021 AFCON qualifiers likely to commerce in September next year.

Making his remarks, EFA President Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa said they were confident the new coach would help develop local football during a press briefing at the Sigwaca House yesterday.

Position

“Following the advert for the position of the senior national team head coach, stakeholders and the public are hereby informed that the recruitment has been completed. The above process, therefore, means that the period of the interim technical committee and national team management committee has also now come to an end.

“The FA would like to express its appreciation to Anthony Mdluli and his technical team and management for holding forth while the recruitment process continued, more particularly creating a base of a competitive national team,” he said.

Mthethwa further stated the newly appointed coach would recommend his own assistant coach upon his arrival in the country next month.

“As is the norm, once the new coach has arrived, he will recommend his assistant coaches, after which the rest of the technical bench will be completed.

Retaliate

The executive committee would like to further retaliate its commitment to ensure the improvement of the national team in all its international competitions, as per the national team strategy developed. The executive committee requests support, patience and collaboration towards the work of the new coach,” he said.

Papic has coached several clubs in Enugu Rangers (Nigeria), Hearts of Oak (Ghana), Young Africans (Tanzania), before his stint with South Africa sides such as Black Leopards, Maritzburg United and Chippa United.

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