Swazi Observer

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â€˜MAGIYANEâ€™ TIPPED, â€˜KOKIâ€™ REINSTATED?

By Melusi Mlotsa | 2019-08-14

SOCCER – MONENI Pirates coach Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini has emerged as a surprise favourite to take over as Manzini Wanderers following the sacking of Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati on Monday.

Vilakati was showed the exit door after failing to win the EswatiniTelecom Charity Cup as the team lost 1-3 to Mbabane Highlanders in the finals, something that did not sit well with Wanderers’ authorities.

Rumours are flying back and forth in the football circles that the former Vovovo FC coach will be soon appointed to take over the coaching reigns in the maroon and white outfit.

An impeccable source revealed that the nomadic coach has been promised a lucrative offer by the Manzini Wanderers management.

“Yes, ‘Magiyane’ is likely to take over in the team after he was promised an irresistible offer by the management. In fact, he was supposed to sign on the dotted line yesterday in a meeting that was scheduled to take place in Matsapha before the close of business. I am not sure if the meeting between the two parties did finally take a place, but I am certain that Dlamini is a favourite candidate for the post, chances are very high that the deal will be completed soon,” the source said. Manzini Wanderers Management Committee Chairman Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli denied that Dlamini could soon be unveiled as the team’s head coach.

“What you are asking me about is not true. The executive will sit today to discuss the issue of the new coach. A statement will then be released to the media once everything has been concluded,” he said.

‘Magiyane’ when contacted yesterday neither confirmed nor denied that the hub giants had approached him.

Deny

“I am still a Moneni Pirates coach as I have a contract with them. I cannot deny nor confirm what you are asking me about. For now I will choose to focus on my job with Moneni Pirates,” Dlamini said.

If ‘Magiyane’ eventually joins the hub giants he will be reunited with his former players in Leon Manyisa and Mali industrial midfielder Houssou Abboudou from Vovovo.

Dlamini has previously coached the hub giants as he replaced ‘Koki’ when he was fired during the 2010/11 season. Other rumours were to the effect that ‘Koki’ might be reinstated as the team’s head coach as another source revealed that other officials wanted him to be reinstated. “There was a meeting last night where the issue of head coach was deliberated. They raised two names in ‘Magiyane’ and ‘Koki’. From what I heard after the meeting ‘Koki’ might be reinstated, something that some of the players are against. Let us wait and see but it’s between the two coaches,” said the source.

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