B. FASO BLANK ABOUT SITSEBE, PROMISE FIREWORKS

LOBAMBA – Eswatini and Burkina Faso have never played before but the visitors are content they will punish their rivals.

The country’s Women’s senior national team Sitsebe, host Burkina Faso this afternoon at Somhlolo National Stadium. The two teams held their pre-match press conference yesterday at the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre in Lobamba. Sitsebe Head Coach, Zwelibanzi ‘Botsotso’ Khoza said the team has prepared well ahead of their opening fixture and they will give it their all as they are playing opponents with much more experience compared to Sitsebe. Khoza highlighted on the international friendly games they played against Mozambique, where they lost 2-1 and won 3-0 in their second game. “We have to thank EFA for taking us to Mozambique, where we were unfortunate to lose one of our players due to an injury she picked up. Nonetheless we have thoroughly prepared for a strong team because they have played the big guns, the likes of Morocco and Senegal, where they picked up tightly contested results,” Khoza said.

Sitsebe Semhlekazi Captain Tenanile Ngcamphalala attested to the words of her coach, where she cited that the ladies are in a good space psychologically and physically. She said that they were ready for the game despite losing two of their key players to injury and heat stroke respectively.  

Preparations

“Our team is doing well ahead of the preparations. With my observation the squad’s spirit is at a high and shows that we are ready for the game, even though one of our players picked up an injury during the international friendly in Mozambique. I also appeal to the emaSwati to come support us,” Ngcamphalala said. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso Head Coach, Mariatou Koné, who was translated for by Mpumelelo Dlamini, as they speak French, said they were playing Eswatini for the very first time, so planning for a game like that was quite tricky. However, he had said they would wait for Eswatini to dictate the tempo of the game as well as punish the side if an opportunity presents itself. “We have never played against Eswatini, which gives us little knowledge of the way the team plays. We will assess the way they play tomorrow (today) and punish them, where opportunities avail,” said the coach.

Koné also said the weather conditions were more favourable for them here as it is much warmer in Burkina Faso. This will enable them to play with more energy against Sitsebe Semhlekazi, who are just as ready for the fixture. The match has been slotted for 3pm today at Somhlolo National Stadium, where entry is free.

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