I’M TOO OLD FOR SIHLANGU - FELIX

MBABANE – At 32 years of age, former AS Vita striker Felix Badenhorst feels that he is too old to play for the national team, Sihlangu Semnikati and wants to give a chance to younger stars.

The Mbabane Swallows player was sharing his thoughts about the selection of the national team squad, Sihlangu. Badenhorst, along with Green Mamba’s Njabulo Thwala and Young Buffaloes’ Phiwa Dlamini, were dropped from the squad. The former AS Vita and Mbombela United player had scored six goals so far this season while Thwala had found the back of the net five times with Phiwa Dlamini only visiting the net two times while last year he scored 23 goals.

deserve

“I have not performed well to deserve a call-up and besides, I am old now. I think we should give young blood a chance to play for the national team,” said Badenhorst. When asked if he was retiring from international football, Badenhorst said for now, he could not say he was totally retiring. “I would not want to comment further than that. I just feel young blood should be given a chance. Also I feel the players who have been selected are good. Let’s support the current squad that has been selected,” he added. Meanwhile, Thwala shared similar sentiments.

experienced

“I think the squad is a combination of young and experienced players. All the players selected deserve to be in the national team. Infact, I advocate for the young crop than us who are old so that there is continuity in the national team,” Thwala said. Other players who are no longer part of the national team include Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze, Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, Banele Dlamini and Sanele Mkhweli among others. Meanwhile, another young promising Moneni Pirates winger, Mphumuzo Sangweni, admitted he had to work harder. “It is a motivation on its own to be left out at the national team. I have to improve where I am lacking. I believe the national team coaches will consider me one day. It’s every player’s dream to play in the national team and abroad,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sihlangu Head Coach Dominic Kunene said it was not a blow for all the players as this selection was only for this game against Somalia. “We may recall other players if need be. I just want to challenge players to work harder so that they are considered for selection,” he said. Kunene said he believed the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers would be played during a FIFA week break and that would make it possible that all players are available for national duty.

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