Comoros game a must-win - Ex-Sihlangu coaches

MBABANE – Sihlangu may have lost to Botswana yesterday but its former coaches believe the Comoros game is a must win for the locals, as they were still within a chance.

Speaking to three coaches who all coached the national team, they said football was a funny game as anything could happen, much against expectations of many. They said it was a fact that Botswana was better placed now and expected to win against Seychelles, to top the group and make the quarterfinals.

However, they said Seychelles had the capability to frustrate Botswana, hence Sihlangu had to focus on winning the last game and forget about yester-day’s result.
“The players’ spirit was obviously dampened by the result but they need to know it’s not over yet. They need to quickly forget about it and focus in the last game which is a must-win, for them to have any good chance of making the quarterfinals,” said Green Mamba coach Francis ‘Mkhulu’ Banda.

He also said this was just a wake-up call for the local side and what they needed now was to correct their mistakes and remain focused on winning against Comoros.

“The chances are very much there and this result should just pass on as a wakeup call. The team has to work its mistakes and go all out to win the last game. That’s a cup final for Sihlangu now and football being the funny game it is, Botswana could still be frustrated at Seychelles,” Manzini Sundowns coach Manfred Chabinga said.

Hub Sundowns coach Dumisa ‘Dodge’ Mahlalela felt the team lost it by changing its formation, especially in midfield where he would have liked to see Mxolisi ‘Stopper’ Mthethwa with Malungisa ‘Hurrah’ Dlamini and then Mathokoza Thwala adding up in the attack together with Mzwandile Ndzimandze.

“Since the game has been lost already, we now need to focus on the last one, which I believe we can win and must win at all costs. The players shouldn’t read too much into this result and look at the points because it’s not yet over, all countries have one game to play and anything is possible. I also see Seychelles frustrating Botswana with their defensive approach,” he added.

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