MBABANE – South Africa’s businessman Chief Ally Kgomongwe has wielded the axe after Amawele’s opening-day defeat to Ezulwini United.
Amawele boss Ally Kgomongwe has dismissed the entire technical bench following the team’s 3-0 defeat to Ezulwini United in Sunday’s MTN Premier League at Kalanga Technical Centre outside Siteki.
The decision means Head Coach Mpumelelo ‘Mapho’ Ngwenya and his assistant, Christian Thwala, have both been shown the exit door after just one MTN Premier League match.
Ezulwini United ran riot through a brace from Banele, while Boniswa Gama completed the rout as Amawele endured a difficult introduction to the top-flight campaign.
Amawele did show attacking promise, particularly in their attempts to build from the back, but a combination of missed opportunities and Ezulwini’s greater experience ultimately proved costly.
The decision was confirmed by Amawele Public Relations Officer (PRO) David ‘Var’ Ndwandwe during a sports programme on national radio this morning.
“The boss has relieved the technical bench of their duties following a not-so-convincing display by the team in the first game. The team is on the lookout for coaches and we have received huge interest from coaches who want to take over the team,” said Ndwandwe.
Ngwenya confirmed his departure, describing his short stint as an opportunity to lay the foundations of what he believed could become a significant project.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to kick-start the project. I believe it has the potential to become something big. However, having a full-time coach would be ideal, as the team needs two training sessions a day and more time together,” Ngwenya said.
“I wish them all the best.”
Kgomongwe is no stranger to making bold decisions on the technical bench.
The South African businessman is a former Mbabane Highlanders boss, where he was involved in the club’s administration and football operations.
His most striking coaching decision at Highlanders came in February 2022 when he parted ways with Ernest Mavuso and his assistant Sandile Lulane, despite the team having gone 10 league matches unbeaten and sitting at the summit of the MTN Premier League at the time. Mavuso later said he was left confused by the decision, having believed the team was on the right track.
The reasoning around Mavuso’s departure was also linked to Kgomongwe’s preference for a full-time coach, rather than a coach operating on a part-time basis.
Kgomongwe later moved on from Highlanders amid a protracted ownership and management dispute. He subsequently confirmed in 2025 that he had relinquished control to South African businesswoman Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize.
Now back in Eswatini football with Amawele, Kgomongwe has once again made his mark with a dramatic early-season decision.
With the technical bench dismantled after one league fixture, Amawele are already searching for a new coaching team and the club’s next appointment will come under immediate scrutiny.
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