Africa-Press – Eswatini. SOCCER – MBABANE Highlanders players are happy with the return of their head coach Ernest Mavuso ahead of the capital city derby against fierce rivals Mbabane Swallows.
This comes after the former Moneni Pirates mentor was showed the exit door and reinstated an hour later by the club boss Chief Ally Kgomongwe after a lengthy meeting held at Happy Valley Hotel on Monday night.
Mavuso began drilling the team yesterday morning at the club’s Ezulwini Sports Ground base.
A number of the senior players who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity said the return of the coach had boosted their morale.
“The reversal of the decision to sack the coach sound as good news to our ears. It will help boost our morale,” said one of the players.
Another player said the absence of the coach in last weekend match against Vovovo contributed to their first loss of the season. Highlanders suffered their first defeat at the Prince of Wales Ground as Vovovo ran away 1-0 victors.
“We are where we are because of his contribution and his absence last weekend affected us a lot. We are ready to fight for him inside the field on Sunday,” said the player.
“He is close to all the players. For me, I don’t think it would have been a right decision to get rid of him at this stage of the league,” another player said.
Mavuso said he was also happy to be part of the team when reached yesterday.
“I have a project with Highlanders to complete this season. It gives me a pleasure to be back again and lead a big team like Highlanders,” he said.
Meanwhile, Highlanders under the guidance of Mavuso have gone for 10 matches unbeaten before last Sundays crippling defeat at the hands of Vovovo. The Highlanders hierarchy is believed to be locked in meetings over the long term future of the coach.
The black and white outfit will face bitter-sworn rivals Swallows on Sunday at Mavuso Sports Centre in what is expected to be an epic clash of the MTN Premier League. The capital city giants are sitting at the second spot with 24 points despite suffering a defeat last weekend.
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