Times Of Swaziland: FELIX BLOW FOR SIHLANGU

FELIX BLOW FOR SIHLANGU
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Nimrod Hlophe on 10/10/2024 07:34:00


LOBAMBA - COSAFA leading all-time goalscorer, Felix Badenhorst, has been left
out of the squad that will face Mozambique in back-to-back TotalEnergies AFCON
Qualifiers.
The senior men’s national team, Sihlangu, left yesterday afternoon en route to
the neighbouring country for their match at Zimpeto Stadium at 3pm tomorrow.
They will also face off on Monday at 9pm at Mbombela Stadium as the
TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifications near their
conclusion. He is reportedly injured. Coach Zdravko Logarusic had initially
called 29 players to enter full camp from September 30. He, however, then
trimmed it to 22 players. The others include a trio from Badenhorst’s team,
Royal Leopard. These are shot-stopper Ncamiso ‘Mbonyo’ Dlamini and
right-back Mlamuli Msibi, who were also ruled out by injuries. Sikhumbuzo
Magagula could also not make it onto the finalist list.
Another player sidelined by an injury was Mbabane Highlanders’ defender Kwezi
Matsebula. Another player who was dropped was Young Buffaloes’ attacker Ali
Matse. Speaking during the send-off event, Eswatini Football Association (EFA)
President, Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane urged the national troops to stun
Mozambique in both matches to stand a better chance of qualification. He
described the Croatian mentor as the Messiah who would take Eswatini out of
where it is now. “ Prove them wrong and defeat Mozambique in both matches,”
‘Samora’ told Logarusic. He also admitted that the past performances against
Guinea-Bissau and Mali, respectively, where Sihlangu lost 1-0 in both matches,
were disappointing. The EFA boss said wins against neighbours could restore the
team’s respect ahead of the African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Logarusic promised not to disappoint and to get the desired results.
He promised to represent the country properly and make it proud. Captain Lindo
Mkhonta said players are aware of the previous results and had put them behind.
With four games to go in the qualifiers, Eswatini are rooted at the bottom of
Group I without a point. Mozambique lead the pack. They are joint at four points
with Mali. Guinea-Bissau are at three points.