[11] Praising his players for their efforts that game,[12] his charges held Lesotho to a 0–0 stalemate[13] in their third and final friendly in preparation for the 2014 African Nations Championship qualifying two-legged round opposing Angola,[14] losing 1–0 both legs.
That same month, the former footballer stated that his desire was to work with local coaches and predicted a rise in the FIFA World Rankings, claiming that they would improve dramatically over time.
[15] In 2013, he went with the national selection to participate in the 2013 COSAFA Cup, not having a presentiment of failure and predicting that they would overcome all seemingly insuperable obstacles and deliver a good showing in the tournament;[16] however, despite a draw with Botswana in their opener,[17] the Sihlangu never progressed past the group stage, losing 2–0 twice to Kenya and Lesotho with Billen reconsidering his job as coach.
[18] Being thrashed 10–0 by Egypt in a friendly worsened the trainer's position, with fans requesting for his immediate dismissal as they were not expecting such a scoreline;[19] but, despite fan pressure, the National Football Association of Swaziland still did not sack Billen[20] until November 2013, with local Harris Bulunga taking up the interim post.
[21] The reason they gave for his firing was that he was in Belgium too often and spent more time there rather than helping the Swaziland Football Association.