James, ‘DU’, Edwin risk early chop
MBABANE – Any coach or football expert will tell you that coaching big teams present the toughest jobs in the world.
Domestically, the ‘Big 3’ offer that kind of high-pressure job to a coach – these teams are Mbabane Highlanders, Mbabane Swallows and
James Kunene
(L) looking on as his team lost to Mbabane Highlanders during the MoMo Cup play-offs semi-finals recently.
Manzini Wanderers then you can add Moneni Pirates, Denver Sundowns and the three security forces in MTN Premier League defending champions Royal Leopard, current log leaders Young Buffaloes and Green Mamba.
The season is in its earliest stage on average four games per team, but already, some coaches are feeling the heat in their clubs. Some missiles
JAMES KUNENE (MANZINI WANDERERS)
He is one who some may feel was thrown into the deep end or given a carrot bigger than he can actually chew, but he is a qualified coach with a CAF Licence A. Experience may be the only downfall as he is hardly known in the top flight and his team’s results have seen him under enormous pressure. Wanderers appeared to be doing everything right when the window period was still open, but they have gone four matches without scoring a goal and a point because they have lost all four plus a fifth match in the MoMo Cup play-offs semi-finals. Their next fixtures are tough with Green Mamba in line this weekend before they face Manzini Sea Birds and Royal Leopard. A defeat against Green Mamba will certainly not sit well with the supporters who were already impatient during the MoMo Cup. Kunene has lost to rookies Madlenya, Tambankulu Callies, Mbabane Highlanders and Young Buffaloes. have already been thrown at them while some have endured insults from the stands.
Which of the country’s top flight league coaches are likely to be shown the exit door quickest if results do not change or are not consistent? Find out as we present our top five under fire coaches likely to face the axe earliest. Read on…
DUMSANI ‘DU’ MAKHANYA (MBABANE HIGHLANDERS)
He has had inconsistent results in the league which have seen Highlanders placed three points behind leaders Young Buffaloes. Highlanders beat Callies, lost to Moneni Pirates, won against Wanderers and drew with Denver Sundowns. Given the quality of players and the experience at Makhanya’s disposal, losing to Pirates and drawing with Sundowns was least expected. His troubles were compounded further when Pirates beat them again in the MoMo Cup semi-finals last Sunday after a penalty shootout, a match his team failed to click in. Fans and supporters bayed for Makhanya and the team management’s blood by the dressing rooms at Somhlolo National Stadium and threatened to visit their training ground. Makhanya has responded by seeking help from seasoned coach Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini but the team is yet to decide its next move. On the standings, they are second on seven points but could drop to third if Madlenya beat ambitious Nsingizini Hotspurs in their fixture yesterday.
EDWIN MATSEBULA (R. LEOPARD)
Two matches and no win for the defending champions is an unusual start. If anything, it does not look good, especially because the competition looks set to be even tougher this season with more teams going for the glory. Leaders Young Buffaloes have already opened a nine-point gap from the defending champions who must now return from their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage play-off match and try to collect maximum points. They have also fallen two matches behind. They have Buffaloes who are looking ready to go for the title this time around, Highlanders, Swallows, and Green Mamba to look up to and you can rule out rookies Nsingizini at your own peril. The latter are looking a side to be reckoned with and they have the financial resources which is what local football lacks for proper running of the teams and payment of salaries. Matsebula cannot afford to drop any more points because even the two pending matches do not guarantee you points. He started with a draw against Sea Birds and lost 0-2 to Green Mamba. They have pending fixtures with Nsingizini and Moneni Pirates while Tambuti are their next fixture as they sit third from bottom of the table.
ERNEST MAVUSO (GREEN MAMBA)
He went nine consecutive games unbeaten with the quality Mbabane Highlanders had last season, but was released for reasons off the field. He found a new home at Green Mamba in the second half of the season but it was a little too late to make any impact. He has had his preseason with them, signed his own players in his then captain at Highlanders striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Mbabane Swallows midfielder Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu and Manzini Wanderers’ full back Mthunzi Motsa, among others. The expectation is too high from his employers who are reportedly allegedly already preparing yet another invasion of the capital city giants for next window. Mavuso has had in an inconsistent start, which has been Green Mamba’s downfall in recent seasons; he has had two wins and two defeats. They lost to Swallows and Buffaloes while beating rookies Seven Dreams and mainly Leopard. Can they build from the Leopard win to be title challengers in this season? Next up for them is faltering Wanderers. Green Mamba are perched on position six with six points.