USA, PORTUGAL-BASED ‘ZEBRAS’ TO FACE SIHLANGU

MBABANE – A tough challenge lies ahead for Sihlangu, as they prepare to face Botswana in the 2024 COSAFA Cup.

Botswana’s ‘Zebras’ coach Didier Gomes da Rosa selected a youthful yet formidable squad for the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) tournament, scheduled to take place in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa next week. This marks the seventh consecutive year that South Africa has been named as the host. In Group A, Eswatini has been grouped alongside Botswana, South Africa, Angola and Mozambique.

Da Rosa has opted for a different squad from the one that participated in the back-to-back 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Somalia. His selection includes young players, some from the First Division League, with most vying to earn their first Zebras cap. Notably, UB Hawks captain Bonno Sepako, who excelled in the Orange FA Cup, has been named in the provisional squad. Notable is the absence of players from Jwaneng Galaxy, the league and Orange Cup winners.

Additionally, the squad features Jovan Nikolic, who currently plays for CS Maritimo’s Under-23 team in Portugal. Maritimo competes in the Liga Portugal 2, the second division of Portuguese football. Meanwhile, Lizo Skweyiya plies his trade as a forward in the United States of America (USA). The COSAFA tournament is scheduled to take place from June 26 to July 7, 2024.

Interim head coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane has also named his squad, which comprises locally-based players. All international players were dropped from the squad. Noteworthy is the inclusion of seven players from the league-winning team Mbabane Swallows, including Philiswa Newman, Siphosethu Mabilisa, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, Kwakhe Thwala, Leon Manyisa, Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala, and Ayanda Gadlela.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: