Mandla Dlamini's resignation took Swazi football by surprise

The National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) are lining up Germany's Werner Bicklehaupt as the new coach of the national team.

Although Bicklehaupt has yet to sign a contract, the agreement the German coach has reached with the NFAS means he officially started work for the association on Monday.

The NFAS can afford to pay Bicklehaupt for the next two months, following which they hope to access sufficient funds to sign the German for a minimum period of one year.

Bhekie Mkhota, the NFAS public relations officer, told the BBC Sport website that they hope to secure Bicklehaupt's towards the end of the year.

In the meantime, the German's immediate task will be to prepare the Swazi squad for the second leg of their vital 2006 Nations Cup and World Cup preliminary qualifier against Cape Verde in Praia next month.

Swaziland drew the first leg 1-1 in Mbabane on Sunday, following which angry supporters clashed with the Swazi footballers outside the Somhlolo stadium.

Bicklehaupt, who has coached in Germany and Switzerland, replaces Francis Banda, the Zambian coach who took interim control of the Sihlangu following the resignation of Mlanda Dlamini in September.

Dlmani had resigned after being pelted by an assortment of objects, including beer cans, when the team lost 3-0 to Botswana in a friendly early last month.