Kosta Papic named new Eswatini coach

The Eswatini Football Association has confirmed the appointment of former Orlando Pirates Serbia born coach, Kosta Papic as new national team coach on a 12-month performance based contract.

The search for a substantive head coach which was set into motion with an advert in August – almost six months after the departure of Dutchman coach Peter De Jongh had taken so many twists and turns cultivating a series of mouth-watering speculations in recent months.

Amid growing anticipation, one thing was equally growing certain with each and every passing agonizing international match that interim coach, Anthony Mdluli would surely head to exit door and on Tuesday morning all that speculation became a confirmed reality.

EFA president, Adam Mthethwa announced the rift of changes set to usher in a new football calendar year under the guidance of the Serbian.

The Serbian born Papic is set to arrive in the country in the first week of January to resume his duties. His first assignment will be the match between Sihlangu and Tunisia in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers followed by the COSAFA Challenge Cup.

Addressing journalists before announcing Papic as the head coach of the national team, Mthethwa appreciated interim coach Anthony Mdluli and his technical team and management for holding fort whilst the recruitment process continued.

He reiterated the football association’s commitment in ensuring that there is an improvement in the performance of the national team in all its international competitions.

Mthethwa further urged the national team and the nation to cooperate with the new coach as his appointment is aimed at achieving positive results as he holds the reigns of being the national team’s head coach.

The former Orlando Pirates coach has managed a number of African clubs in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania and Royal Eagles in South Africa.