adminNoel Munzabwa
IF therea��s something certain at Mbabane Highlanders, it has to be another Zimbabwe-born coach taking charge with the scales now tilting towards Newsome Mutema than Luke Masomere in the last few days of negotiations.
We can exclusively reveal that negotiations have been going on for a good month and at their infancy, Masomere looked better poised to land the job with the picture changing in recent weeks.
The Swazi soccer giants had initially been impressed by the former Hwange and Masvingo United coaches rich curriculum vitae, even opting to supplement his salary demand by a part time motor mechanics job.
But this proved not enough to convince the premiership league title winning coach with Amazulu to cross the borders to Swaziland pushing Highlanders to consider Option B which landed on Mutema, who was part of the backroom staff at the championship winning Monomotapa.
Mutema was agreeable to the offered terms and ita��s now a matter of when the deal could be struck and it is highly possible that by the time you read this, the January/February Caf A Coaching graduate could be headed for Swaziland.
The Harare-based coach had been recommended by Rodwell Dhlakama who has had stints at Swazi clubs Manzini Sundowns and Green Mamba.
Mbabane Highlanders director, Zweli Jele could not be drawn to comment.
Both Mutema and Masomere acknowledged links to the job.
The hard pressed Swazi giants intend to start the pre-season preparations on July 4.
It will not be the first time a Zimbabwe born coach takes charge of the outfit with a rich history of football success with the most trophies and league titles with Hebert Maruwa having replaced another countryman Tarisai Changara last season.
Maruwa could not last with the club eventually relegated before being recalled after the expansion of the Premier League of Swaziland from 12 teams to 14.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo