Times Of Swaziland: ZAMBIA, MOZ FOR SIHLANGU!

ZAMBIA, MOZ FOR SIHLANGU!
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BY CHRIS DLAMINI on 28/02/2019 01:10:00


MBABANE – New national senior football team Sihlangu coach,  Kostadin Papic
will have two international friendly matches before Tunisia next month.
At least, close and impeccable sources have said that was the position of the
Eswatini Football Association (EFA), based on the squad’s technical bench’s
preparatory programme ahead of the away Tunisia Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
2019 Cup dead rubber qualifier on March 22.
“Papic would like two friendly matches if possible, so the EFA is doing all it
can to get rivals and currently there is Zambia and Mozambique as countries
earmarked for the friendly matches,” said a source.
Chances
Another source said chances to play Mozambique and Chipolopolo were slightly
high. Also, Mozambique could play aginst South Africa, the sources alluded.
“It’s the EFA that will announce the friendly matches once they have
confirmed everything,” said the source.Papic is expected to name his squad
tomorrow as they prepare for the first camp since he took over the reins from
then interim coach, Anthony Mdluli in January.
“I can’t reveal any names right now but when I do, I appeal for the support
of everyone for all the players who will be called up,” he said.
Matches
Questioned on the proposed friendly matches, Papic could only confirm two
friendlies would be good for their preparations. He could neither deny nor
confirm the proposed rivals but said they need the best preparations they can
have.
The first friendly match is expected on March 9 but details of whether it will
be away or at home are yet to be released by the EFA. The local football mother
body’s Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe, said it would be
premature of him to confirm anything now.
“Let’s wait for the press conference as the coach is yet to announce his
squad and I may not  know what else he will talk about but I know there should
be a friendly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sihlangu has played both countries in official and unofficial matches
before but without much success.