By Chris Dlamini
A reshuffle in the Mbabane Highlanders technical bench has seen Malawian coach Meck Mwase take over with his own staff.
Set to receive E20 000 monthly pay as his salary, Mwase, who is only back for a second spell at Inkunz’emnyama, set the terms and his employers yielded.
“It’s official. Mwase is our new head coach after agreeing on his terms with us. We are doing our best to ensure he works without hindrances, so we also officially have Vusisizwe Mahlalela as his assistant.
Our new goalkeeper coach is Chicco Mayisa who is also well-known at Highlanders as our former goalkeeper,” businessman and current Highlanders director Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane ‘s younger brother Mandla Simelane, who runs the club’s day to day business said.
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Questioned on the contract terms as it was established Mwase had required E20 000 as his salary, Simelane would not deny it.
“We held talks with him and obviously negotiated the pay to go lower, but in the end, we reached an agreement, and he’s here to coach the team,” Simelane diplomatically said.
He later concurred that the salary negotiations were not as fruitful as they would have liked, but Mwase still compromised some benefits like his travel air tickets.
“He agreed to cater for himself whenever he would have to travel home and back here,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mwase and his new technical bench were unveiled in Ezulwini at Bethel Court Vineyard Hotel on Monday.
“I love Highlanders, and the atmosphere in Eswatini is great. I am back also because I know the team, and I believe we can still finish in a respectable position,” Mwase said.
He also confirmed his contract with Inkunz’emnyama, as Highlanders are also fondly known, will run until the end of the season before they can sit and review again.
Mwase also recalled the 2016/17 season where he finished number two, missing the title by just a point as Royal Leopard won it. The Simelanes were in charge of the black and white ensemble at that time.
They have just returned, following the exit of South African Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe.
The latter now leads Botswana giants Extension Gunners where ex-Highlanders coach Mthunzi ‘Lomphofu’ Ginindza is on song following his two consecutive wins and two draws in four games.
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Worthy of mention also is that Highlanders also officially thanked Thembela for his work while holding fort as the coach and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Also reportedly relieved was yet another team legend Sifiso ‘Barnes’ Mkhulisi who had been removed from the assistant coach position as of last Tuesday to that of Technical Director (TD).
However, official confirmation to this news proved difficult as it was all spoken in hushed tones since Saturday.
