Former Zimbabwe national team coach could get himself in trouble following online reports suggesting that he penned a deal with a Saudi Arabian side while still contracted to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA).
Eswatini Times has reported that Zdravko Logarušić’s frequent sojourns away from Eswatini might indicate he has secured a new coaching berth.
Online reports have linked the Croatian tactician with a managerial appointment at Al-Tai, a club in the Saudi First Division League, as of April 16, 2025.
In a post on their Official Twitter (now X) page, Al Tai seemed to confirm the signing of the former Warriors coach.
“Hello Zdravko”,” they posted the picture in training on their Twitter page.
Intriguingly, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu affirmed on Monday that Logarušić remains the undisputed Head Coach of the Eswatini national team, Sihlangu, despite his initial absence from the squad’s training camp at the Lobamba Technical Centre.
Reports indicate he touched down in the kingdom on Monday evening and immediately commenced preparations with the squad yesterday.
This is not the first instance of the Croatian gaffer vanishing from the national team’s sight only to re-emerge.
Earlier this year, he was reportedly absent without leave (AWOL), only to later resurface and allegedly strenuously demand a sum of E60 000 from the EFA.
Furthermore, he was purportedly quoted as advocating for a drastic reduction in the size of the national team’s international delegation, suggesting that the saved funds should be directly allocated to him.
Compounding these contentious issues, there were also reports circulating that the coach was operating without the security of a formal written contract with Eswatini, relying instead on what was described as a mere verbal agreement.
When pressed for comment yesterday, EFA Marketing and Communications Officer, Muzi Radebe, firmly stated:
“We wish to unequivocally clarify that Logarušić is still the Head Coach of Sihlangu, notwithstanding speculative reports linking him to other teams.
“We do not operate on online conjecture; if you seek clarification on the reported new team, Coach Logarušić is the appropriate individual to address that.’’ (Game-On Reporter/Eswatini Times)
