Eswatini: Highlanders AM coach Mavuso resigns

After going winless in three straight matches, Ernest Mavuso has resigned as Mbabane Highlanders AM FC coach admitting that he did not perform as expected in the Eswatini MTN Premier League.

In a statement, club owner Shawn Mkhize, formerly in charge of South Africa’s Royal AM, confirmed that Mavuso threw in the towel on Monday.

Follow the MTN Premier League Match between Mbabane Highlanders F.C. and Manzini Wanderers F.C. via the link below:https://t.co/m9Yisws2f5 pic.twitter.com/Jp8rnB7Lft

— EFA (@eswatinifa) March 1, 2026

“This is a tough resignation to accept, as we recruited the coach based on his impressive record,” the South African football administrator said.

“He has not only won many trophies, but he has done so while playing an excellent style of football that we want Mbabane Highlanders AM to be known for. We respect and accept his decision, particularly given our concern about the position we currently find ourselves in.”

Who Shawn Mkhize took over Highlanders AM

Mkhize became the majority shareholder of the Eswatini side last July after South Africa’s elite league governing body expelled her Royal AM from the flagship Betway Premiership over financial problems which saw curators handling the then Durban-based club’s affairs.

Royal AM were put under curatorship after the South African Revenue Service took Mkhize to task over outstanding taxes.T

o her credit, she did not give up on football but crossed the South African borders to invest in the club that is also called Ezimnyama Ngenkani or Black Bull. The start to life in Eswatini seemed fine but now all seems unwell evidenced by the resignation of the coach.

Explaining his decision to resign from Highlanders AM, Mavuso admitted that he did not perform well enough.

What coach Mavuso said after resigning

“When I look at where the team currently sits on the log table, I have to concede that perhaps the players need a change,” the coach said.

“I feel they are no longer responding to what we are trying to implement in training, and that unfortunately carried over into matches, as the results reflect. I have no doubt that the club is in good hands, and I wish Mbabane Highlanders AM well going forward.”

Highlanders occupy position 10 in the log table with nine points from eight games, nine points behind leaders and holders Nsingizini Hotspurs. Sisonkhe anchor the 18-member log table with five points from eight games.

The Black Bull are the 13-time Eswatini Premier League champions.