AFTER IMPRESSING IN COSAFA: SIHLANGU DUO RECOMMENDED FOR SA CHIEFS!

MBABANE – Despite an early exit from the ongoing 2024 COSAFA Men’s Championship, some Sihlangu stars have caught the eyes of international legends.

The Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane-led squad bowed out of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), finishing third in Group A, two days ago, and missed the semi-finals spot. Amid the disappointment, some football enthusiasts noted some improvements in the performance of the youthful squad, which returned home having not netted a goal in all three matches.  Former Malanti Chiefs Head Coach Humphrey Mlwane has promised to vouch for skilful midfielder Thubelihle Mavuso and industrious winger Bongwa Matsebula to his former side Kaizer Chiefs.

Signing

This is according to South Africa’s premier sports journal Kick-Off. The publication yesterday reported that Mlwane was set to reach out to Chiefs boss, Kaizer Motaung, to recommend the signing of the Nsingizini Hotspurs and Young Buffaloes’ players. “Let’s hope Kaizer Chiefs saw them; they must take them. I’m planning to give Bobby Motaung a call about these boys. Since Chiefs are rebuilding, they are not going to win the league this season, so they are able to nurture these boys,” Kick-Off quoted Mlwane. Historically, Eswatini players who have donned the Amakhosi jersey include Absalom ‘Scara’ Thindwa, the Shongwe brothers Abel ‘Chacklas’ and William ‘Cool Cat’, Ronnie Dube and the nimble-footed Sibusiso ‘Spoko’ Dlamini.“Swaziland (Eswatini) has improved a lot. Even yesterday (Wednesday) Eswatini players were more offensive than our Bafana Bafana. Their goalkeeper Xolani Gama was one of my players at Malanti Chiefs. Eswatini are using young boys, especially Bongwa Matsebula and Thubelihle Mavuso,” Mlwane further said.

Worthy

Sihlangu suffered a solitary goal defeat two days ago in a decisive match against South Africa.  Mavuso was on the pitch for the entire game against Bafana Bafana, where he demonstrated traits worthy of the man of the match.  He was a thorn for the opponents with his penetrating passes and took shots at goal, albeit unsuccessfully. Meanwhile, Matsebula started from the bench and was introduced after the 70th minute alongside Leon Manyisa. They injected some fresh vigour into the match. Echoing Mlwane’s sentiments, former Sihlangu Manager Josiah ‘Digger’ Dlamini praised the duo, suggesting they are poised for a bright future. He also highlighted Green Mamba’s goalkeeper Xolani Gama and Madlenya defender Gift Gamedze as standout performers in the competition as well.

“All the boys displayed exceptional performance, with these few notably standing out. This is a result of the robust grassroots development in the country. It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen players cross the border to play for Soweto’s giants,” Dlamini said. He expressed confidence that the players would excel if given a chance, emphasizing that even former Eswatini’s Glamour Boys’ local stars played for them at a tender age. Hotspurs Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mnotfo Dlamini declined to comment on Mavuso’s latest development. He was grateful for the national team call-ups for some of their players, praising their commitment to the national emblem and congratulating them on their performance.
On a lighter note, Mlwane felt the country’s players were affordable, as their price tag was around E30 000.

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