ROCKY START: ONLY 9 SIHLANGU PLAYERS AT CAMP

MBABANE - Sihlangu’s preparations for the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers are off to a rocky start.

Reports suggested that nine out of 25 players were in camp at the time of compiling this report, late yesterday. The Eswatini senior men’s national team Sihlangu started training yesterday morning in preparation for  back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers that are expected to be played in about two weeks’ time. Mbabane Swallows, who have up to six players, are set to join next week after wrapping off their TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League first preliminary round games.  Swallows take a 1-0 lead to Mozambique, after 1-0 in the preliminary round first leg clash against Mozambique champions Ferroviario de Beira. The game will be played on Sunday. . In addition, Shiselweni based outfit Nsingizini Hotspurs players will also reportedly join next week. They suffered a 0-3 defeat against Stellenbosch last Saturday. The green and white ensemble return to Moses Mabhida Stadium for their second leg. Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sibusiso Mnotfo Dlamini confirmed these reports.

Preliminary

“The players will join the national team camp next week as we will be done with our CAF first preliminary round games,” Dlamini said. Meanwhile, Green Mamba players including goal poacher Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa were said to have reported for camp. However, they were purportedly recalled by Inyok’eluhlazane, as Green Mamba are affectionately known.  The side departed the kingdom for pre-season games against five teams in South Africa. The opponents are headlined by SuperSport of South Africa (SA). Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mandla Sibiya could not be drawn for comment at the time of compiling this report. This publication wanted to find out the veracity of these reports.

Eswatini Football Association (EFA) announced a 25-man squad, last Thursday. The national team was supposed to report for camp this past Sunday. South Africa’s Premiership side Richards Bay speedy winger Justice Figuareido is Eswatini’s only export in the Sihlangu squad. He is expected to join the national team camp at a later stage.

Preparations

With no permanent gaffer, former caretaker Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane has been recalled to lead the side, as they begin preparations for the AFCON Qualifiers. Sihlangu play back-to-back fixtures against Guinea-Bissau and Mali in the period September 2-10, 2024. Ntibane opted to play his cards close to the chest when sought for comment, yesterday. “I’m not in a position to comment about Sihlangu matters for now,” he said. While familiar faces have made the cut, there is no place for the likes of impressive Zambia-based full-back Lindo ‘All-Trades’ Mkhonta of ZESCO United, Mbabane Swallows attacking midfielder Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala and box-to-box midfielder Mxolisi Mkhonto of Botswana champions Jwaneng Galaxy.

When quizzed with regards to the snub, Mkhonta said he was not bitter about being left out. “Players who are deemed fit to represent the national team at that certain time are called for duty. Yes, I have been left out, but there are no hard feelings,” he said.

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