Dhlakama at Manzini Sundowns

has been appointed the head coach of that country’s Premiership side Manzini Sundowns.
Dhlakama took charge of his first game in Swaziland at the weekend but was unlucky to see his side conceding a last minute goal to settle for a 1-1 draw against Manzini Wanderers in a Manzini derby on the artificial surface of the Somhlolo stadium.

The unassuming coach, who was an assistant to Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe at Kiglon, quietly left the country when it became inevitable that the Chitungwiza side would be relegated.
It had been Dhlakama’s second spell at Kiglon after he had been surprisingly dismissed just before the half way stage of the season together with his then assistant Partridge Muswe despite a promising start by Kiglon.

But as it turned out, Kiglon’s management paid dearly for their premature decision to change the set-up of their technical department and by the time they re-hired Jongwe and Dhlakama it was a little too late.

While Kiglon were playing their last Premiership game under the guidance of goalkeepers’ coach Brenna Msiska, albeit in a 2-0 losing cause to Dynamos at Rufaro on Sunday, Dhlakama was presiding over his maiden Swazi Premiership game.

After a week of training his new charges, Dhlakama was on the touchline as 10-man Sundowns dominated the derby clash but could not add to their goal – a 48th minute strike from the troublesome Leonard Bongso who nodded in from a Clement Sibandze free-kick.

Wanderers denied Dhlakama an opening day win and also broke the Sundowns’ hearts when striker Sdumo Shongwe scored a scorcher, a minute into added time, after controlling a cross from Size Phiri inside the box.

He then let fly a stinger that Sundowns’ Zimbabwean goalkeeper Knowledge Jim could do nothing about as it hit the roof of the net, much to the joy of the maroon and white outfit’s supporters who had been quiet for prolonged periods of the game.

Jim played for Eagles and had a brief flirtation with Harare giants Dynamos before packing his bags and heading for Swaziland.

But after assessing his new side in their first match under him, Dhlakama was a satisfied man and even told the Times of Swaziland that he is confident Manzini Sundowns could go all the way and win the championship title. He said he was very happy with the reception and the material he’s got at the club. He felt that his side was unlucky not to take maximum points from the MTN Premier League game they dominated.

“It was not a tough game at all as we missed a number of scoring opportunities more especially in the first half. We have a good team with a number of experienced players which makes my job much easier. I am puzzled why most of them are not playing for the national team as they are very good,” Dhlakama said.
The coach said the red card for defender Kaira Trywell disturbed their game plan as they were forced to make technical changes bringing in Agrippa Dlamini.