Former Marumo Gallants coaches emerge as Highlanders contenders

Two former Marumo Gallants coaches, Phuti Mohafe and Musa Bilankulu, have emerged as the leading candidates to become the new head coach of Mbabane Highlanders AM in the Eswatini Premier League.

The Eswatini club is searching for a successor to South African coach Floyd Mogale, who left his role last week.

Mogale’s departure was followed by a public dispute with Mbabane Highlanders AM general manager Richard Makhoba. After leaving the club, Mogale blamed Makhoba for his exit.

Makhoba responded by describing the former coach as a “plumber” and “a shame to football coaching”.

The pair had worked together at Highlanders before Mogale stepped down from his position.

Gallants pair under consideration

Bilankulu is currently regarded as the favourite to take charge. He was part of Mohafe’s technical team at Marumo Gallants before both men were dismissed in early September.

The club ended their association after only five league matches, announcing that they had “parted ways with immediate effect”.

Mohafe had joined Marumo Gallants three months earlier from Polokwane City, where he replaced interim coach Trevor Mathiane. The former Polokwane City coach is also being considered for the Highlanders position.

Highlanders, known affectionately as the ‘Black Bull’, have retained former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo within the technical team following Mogale’s departure.

Makhoba has confirmed the club is continuing its search and expects to announce a new coach soon, although he did not reveal whether either Mohafe or Bilankulu had been appointed.

“I have seen the names mentioned in the media. What I can tell you is that you will be the first person to know,” Makhoba told KickOff.

More coaching changes in Eswatini

Highlanders are not the only Eswatini Premier League club seeking a new manager.

Tabankulu Celtics have also begun looking for a coach after ending their relationship with South African coach Sonnyboy Zitha.

That leaves Selaoetse ‘Sly’ Mosala as the only South African currently in charge of an Eswatini club. Mosala remains the coach of Moneni Pirates.

The coaching vacancy at Mbabane Highlanders follows a turbulent period for the club, with Mogale’s departure and the subsequent exchange between the former coach and Makhoba dominating attention.

Makhoba’s comments have added further scrutiny to the appointment process, while the club has yet to confirm whether it will turn to one of the former Marumo Gallants coaches or keep Khuzwayo involved in a wider technical role.