By Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport

Dlamini wants to make Swazi football history

Even if Swaziland had lost to DR Congo in their last Nations Cup qualifier, Mandla Dlamini had the relaxing certainty of full time employment.

When he is not shouting instructions on the football pitch, the Swaziland manager teaches drawing and welding at the Mpaka Vocational Training Centre, located 65 kilometres from capital city Mbabane.

"Managing the national team is a part time thing. I only assume my duties after completing my teaching responsibilities.

"Only for the last two weeks [before their 1-1 draw with DR Congo] have we have been in camp and preparing for this match," he told BBC Sport.

The 42 year old coach, who took charge in February, believes he's up to the challenge of leading the Sihlangu ("Shield"), as the national team is known.

Swaziland dominated their last Nations Cup qualifier and Dlamini confessed they squandered a rare chance to increase their chances of getting to Tunisia 2004.

"We created two or three very good chances but we could only score one goal and I'm not happy about that."

Lacking the talent and organisation of the dominant sides in Africa, Swaziland has struggled to carve a niche for itself on the continental scene.

Swazi fans dream of joining Africa's football elite

With no famous European based professionals to call upon, the Swazi side relies on local talent and five South African based players - Dennis Masina, Sibusiso Dlamini, Wonder Nhleko, Bongani Masangane and John Mdluli.

But despite the stumbling blocks in his path, Dlamini believes qualification for the Nations Cup will be the catalyst for a football revolution in the landlocked southern African country.

The Sihlangu have never qualified for Africa's premier football event. But surprisingly, Dlamini would consider himself a failure should they fail to qualify for Tunisia 2004.

"We have never made it but every coach wants to acieve something.