DOMINIC DEFENDS SIHLANGU SELECTION

MBABANE – Newly-appointed Sihlangu head-coach Dominic Kunene has defended his decision to select 10 Young Buffaloes players in his new-look squad announced recently.

The selection of the squad has been met with mixed-feelings from a section of the football fraternity, as some feel deserving players from other teams were overlooked by the Kunene-led technical bench. The Sihlangu coach announced a 28-member squad, with 10 players coming from Buffaloes, which is his former team.

The Buffaloes’ players in the squad include goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu, who was excluded by previous coach Kostadin Papic, Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze, Siboniso Mamba, Sihlangu Mkhwanazi and Lindo Mkhonta.

Others are Siboniso Ngwenya, Phiwa Dlamini, Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba, Wandile Maseko, Siboniso Ngwenya and Wandile ‘Skosh’ Shabangu.
Worth noting is that during Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga’s reign as the squad’s mentor, Mbabane Swallows players dominated the selection while under Kostadin Papic, there were more Royal Leopard players picked.

The squad will go to full time camp from March 15 to the 31st while a mini training camp will be held from March 5 to 10. The squad is preparing for the 2021 AFCON Qualifying match against Congo-Brazzaville. Eswatini is in the same group with Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.

“It is not the first time (selection of many players from the same team) is happening. We have seen in the past a situation where the national team was dominated by players from other teams. Basically the choice of players for the national team is based on current form not just big names,” Kunene pointed out.
He went on to explain that this was still a tentative squad, which means there could still be new additions while underperforming players would be dropped.
“We will select players based on their performance and currently, we believe all the players selected deserve to be in the national team,” he said.

absence

When questioned on the absence of some international players in the squad, Kunene explained that the technical bench must watch them first before including them in the national team.
“We have to go and watch them play in their respective teams. If they are doing well, then we will include them. As I highlighted before, this is a provisional squad,” he said.

Reached for comment, Eswatini Football Coaches Association (EFCA) Secretary Musa Mamba said it was normal for fans from other teams to raise concerns.

“Their concerns are valid but they must understand that just like in Spain for example, the national team is dominated by players from Barcelona and Real Madrid then a few players are from the other teams,” Mamba said. He went on to urge the nation to support the national team coaches.

doubt

“We must give him the benefit of the doubt. If the national team fails, then he would have learnt what he should do right. Otherwise I am of the opinion that he selected players that he believes in. Let’s support him and hopeful things will work out fine,” Mamba said.
Meanwhile, Moneni Pirates’ captain Mthunzi Motsa who received a call-up also supported the coach.

“Firstly I am grateful to the coach for selecting me in the national team. This means a lot to me and I promise to deliver when given the chance,” he said.
He went on to state that given the fact that Buffaloes are currently doing well, they deserve to have more players in the national team.

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