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SEA BIRDS TO RETAIN ANTHONY AS HEAD COACH

By Mthunzi Maziya | 2019-06-13

SOCCER – MANZINI Sea Birds are set to retain former Sihlangu coach Anthony Mdluli as the team’s head coach for the upcoming season.

Mdluli was responsible for an epic turn-around in the team’s fortunes last season, which saw them finish on seventh place on the MTN log and well clear of relegation.

In fact, Sea Birds were the only team from the Manzini region not to be involved in a relegation fight, as Manzini Wanderers, Moneni Pirates and Manzini Sundowns were all in danger until the latter stages of the season.

Mdluli had signed a short term contract in January to lead the team until the end of the season.

However, a source close to Sea Birds confirmed yesterday that the coach would be retained for the upcoming campaign. “I think his job is clear for all to see. He will definitely continue with the team next season, as we expect that his appointment as head coach of the women’s national team, Sitsebe, will not affect his engagement with us at all,” he said.

The source added what they would discuss the type of players they would need to sign to bolster their squad during their meeting next week. He said Mdluli will be part of that meeting. Meanwhile, in an earlier interview, the coach stated that he would definitely need to beef up his squad ahead of the new season.

He said he did not see his side as a small team, and wanted them to aim very high next season. “My players have to believe that they can equally achieve anything that the other teams can achieve. With the right recruitment, I think we can do even better than we did during the past season,” he said.

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