Former ’Downs gaffer attacks local football
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MBABANE – Former Denver Sundowns Head Coach Milton ‘Spanish’ Dlamini has revealed that his decision to leave the team was influenced by the lack of professionalism in Eswatini football.
The renowned football coach shared his thoughts in a postmatch interview on Thursday evening, following his team’s goalless draw against Royal Leopard at the Mavuso Sports Centre.
Spanish, who has honed his coaching skills in South Africa over the years, joined Ikappa Kappa last July, replacing former coach, Gcina Dlamini, who left the club due to medical reasons towards the end of the previous season.
“Today (Thursday) marked my final day with Denver Sundowns, as I am returning to South Africa. I admit that I made a mistake in assuming that I was joining a professional league, only to discover that it does not cater for professional individuals like myself,”
Dlamini said.
The seasoned coach raised concerns about why the local league has not been able to adapt and learn from other countries. He expressed his belief that the league remains outdated, resembling the state of football in the 1990s when players like Sifiso ‘Barnes’ Mkhulisi were still active.
“The league should prioritise the well-being and professional growth of coaches and players, who attract supporters and sponsors as key stakeholders.
Arrogance
“Unfortunately, there is an attitude of arrogance and a misperception that the league is doing the right things, while in reality, the wrong decisions are being made. It is crucial to acknowledge the experience of emaSwati professionals, who have worked abroad, where football is treated as a professional sport,” the coach said.
He also emphasised that in a professional league, a block fixture is provided well in advance, even before the league commences. This schedule includes specific dates and venues for matches, ensuring proper planning and organisation for all teams involved.
“Amendments to the fixture are only made under unforeseen circumstances and must be communicated well in advance to allow teams’ sufficient time for preparation and budget planning. This is particularly crucial in larger countries like South Africa, where flight bookings must be made well ahead of time to avoid logistical challenges.
Professionalism
“Adopting a block fixture system with specific dates would promote professionalism and enable teams to plan effectively for each round, ensuring smooth operations and a better overall experience for players, coaches, and fans. Failure to implement such a system may perpetuate the league’s amateur status,” he revealed.
He said the local league was more suited for part-time involvement, but he was however quick to say that he was grateful for the experience and opportunity he got from the country’s football.