By Sibusiso Masilela
Is the absence of Sihlangu head coach Zdravko Logarusic caused by welfare issues?
The Croatian coach is the lowest-paid Sihlangu coach in the past 10 years. He has been taking home E65 000 per month since he assumed the hot seat three months ago.
He recently went absent without official leave (AWOL) ahead of the squad’s last two 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea Bissau and Mali.
This resulted in assistant coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane leading the squad qualifiers following Logarusic’s absence ahead of the squad trip to Mbombela for the Guinea Bissau match on Wednesday.
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Other foreign coaches such as Jan Van Winkel (Belgium) and Pieter De Jongh (Netherlands) used to take home E100 000 monthly salary.
Logarusic is currently given E65 000 per month. The ex-Zimbabwe coach has reportedly demanded an E60 000 travelling allowance from the football motherbody which resulted in his absence.
EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said contractual issues were confidential between the employer and employee. EFA Vice President Steve Horton said they were going to discuss the issue of the coach during their next executive meeting.
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“The issue of the coach will be discussed in the next meeting. He won’t be part of the team in the two qualifiers, and we are disappointed by his conduct,” he said.
Logarusic could not comment on the matter when compiling this report. He is among the list of foreign coaches to lead Sihlangu such as Kostadin Papic (Serbia), Pieter De Jongh (Netherlands), Jan Van Winkel (Belgium) and the late Ted Dimitru (Romania), among others.
The current Sihlangu squad
Goalkeepers
Xolani Gama (Green Mamba), Mlungisi Nxumalo (Young Buffaloes)
Defenders
Gift Gamedze (Royal Leopard), Mxolisi Manana (Green Mamba), Sibongakonkhe Silenge (Green Mamba), Sibonelo Sibandze (Young Buffaloes), Fanelo Mamba (Young Buffaloes), Ndumiso Ndaba (Sea Birds), Simanga Masangane (Royal Leopard)
Midfielders
Junior Magagula (Royal Leopard), Kwakhe Thwala (Mbabane Swallows), Mpendulo Tfomo (Sea Birds), Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopard), Neliswa Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs), Siboniso Ngwenya (Young Buffaloes)
Strikers
Bongwa Matsebula (Young Buffaloes), Sabelo Ndzinisa (Green Mamba), Philani Mkhonto (Mbabane Highlanders), Mthokozisi Gwebu (Manzini Sea Birds), Thubelihle Mavuso (Nsingizini Hotspurs)
