The Eswatini Football Association has handed Dominic Kunene the interim reins of Sihlangu for November’s friendly against Malta, while awaiting the arrival of the permanent head coach.
Dominic Kunene is back on the Sihlangu bench. The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) confirmed, in an official announcement, his appointment as interim head coach for November’s friendly against Malta, reports the Times of Eswatini. He had already managed the national team between 2020 and 2024.
The EFA stated that the permanent head coach has already been identified and that the details of his compensation are being finalised. He is expected during the November 2026 international window and could travel with the team to Malta, according to the Eswatini daily.
A backroom staff named around him
Kunene will be assisted by Caleb Ngwenya, assistant coach, Siza Dlamini, fitness coach, and Thokozani Mamba, goalkeeping coach, according to the Times of Eswatini. The trio surrounds him for this fixture.
While awaiting the permanent appointment, the EFA has therefore opted for an interim coach who has already managed the national team, for November’s single friendly.
A record of 42 matches
Between 2020 and 2024, Kunene managed Eswatini on 42 occasions, with 12 wins, 13 draws and 17 defeats, according to the Times of Eswatini. Two episodes stand out from that period.
The first dates back to the 2021 COSAFA Cup, where Sihlangu reached the semi-finals: a 2-2 draw against Senegal before elimination on penalties, then a bronze medal secured against Mozambique. The second concerns the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, with two Eswatini wins over Somalia under his leadership.
Malta in their sights
The meeting with Malta falls within the November 2026 international window, although the exact date of the match has not been specified.
The question of the permanent coach’s profile remains. Reports had mentioned a Moroccan coach, as part of a cooperation agreement between Eswatini and Morocco including financial support towards his salary, reports the Times of Eswatini. That track is not confirmed at this stage; the official announcement of the permanent appointment, expected during the same November window, should provide the answer.