By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – Former elite athlete Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa has fully resumed his duties as a coach following his retirement from competitive athletics.
Matsenjwa holds a Level II Coaching certificate and will be assisted by Hamilton Mhlanga as they lead a squad of 22 athletes to the CAA Regional Relays Championships in Francistown, Botswana. Matsenjwa last competed at the international level during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France before retiring at the age of 37.
Matsenjwa expressed his satisfaction with the appointment, stating that he hopes to perform to the best of his abilities in guiding the athletes toward achieving commendable results.
“The athletes must work diligently to secure positive outcomes, and we are optimistic that they will compete to the best of their abilities. Without exerting undue pressure on them, we have dedicated ourselves to rigorous training in preparation for the competition, and we are looking forward to finishing on the podium,” he remarked.
Athletics Eswatini (AE) President Zakhele Dlamini noted that Matsenjwa’s appointment as the team coach was predicated on his qualifications. He emphasized that Matsenjwa’s experience provides a significant advantage in leading the team, which departed the country on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, for Francistown, Botswana.
“We are delighted to have Matsenjwa as our coach; his appointment is entirely based on his qualifications, as he possesses a Level II coaching certification and will be supported by the seasoned coach Hamilton Mhlanga,” he stated.
The team was bid farewell by the Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darius Dlomo, accompanied by AE President Zakhele Dlamini, at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) offices in Lobamba. The athletes received motivational words of encouragement as they prepared to compete against the regions finest.
ESRC CEO Darius Dlomo urged the athletes to represent the country with pride. He encouraged them to take pride in their role as representatives of the nation.
