Dominic Kunene to coach Sihlangu again
The Eswatini Football Association appointed Kunene as interim head coach for a friendly against Malta.
Dominic Kunene will lead Sihlangu as interim head coach for the November international friendly against Malta, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) confirmed yesterday. The EFA is finalising compensation for a substantive head coach who is expected to join the team during the match week. Kunene previously managed Sihlangu from 2020 to 2024, overseeing 42 matches with 12 wins, 13 draws, and 17 defeats.
The interim technical team, including assistant coach Caleb Ngwenya, fitness coach Siza Dlamini, and goalkeeper coach Thokozani Mamba, will prepare the squad for the trip to Malta. This arrangement is necessary due to the upcoming friendly and logistical needs. The substantive coach will later select his preferred technical bench. Kunene's notable achievements include reaching the 2021 COSAFA Cup semi-finals and guiding the team to two victories over Somalia in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Sihlangu squad for the Malta match will be announced on Tuesday, November 3. The international friendly is scheduled for November 12 at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, kicking off at 6:30pm. This will be Eswatini's first international friendly against a European nation. Reports had suggested a Moroccan coach might be considered for the permanent role under a football cooperation agreement.
Why it mattersEswatini's national football team, Sihlangu, will play an international friendly against Malta on November 12.