‘SIKHALI’, ‘SANDA’ DROPPED!

MBABANE - Big names have been left out of the senior men’s national team, Sihlangu, as the Croatian Coach, Zdravko Logarusic, has announced his maiden squad.

Logarusic, who took Zimbabwe to the 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, was appointed on August 29, 2024, as the new coach. He also made a stop at the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, last week. Among the games he watched were the finals, last Sunday. When interviewed, he said he had come to look for players to select for the next round of AFCON qualifiers matches.

“I’ve come to watch the game to see, maybe, the players who can make our next squad,’’ he said briefly. In a provisional squad leaked to this publication yesterday, reigning Eswatini goal king, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, is notably absent from his first squad. The 24 players will start preparations for Mozambique’s clash slated for next month. The Green Mamba’s veteran captain topped last season’s MTN Premier League scorers’ charts with 20 goals. He also achieved the same feat in the Ingwenyama Cup, sponsored by Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF), scoring seven goals. He further scored a single goal in each of the  two-legged qualifiers against Somalia in the preliminary round.  Another notable omission from the squad is Mbabane Swallows’ shot-stopper, Sandanezwe Mathabela.Mathabela manned the posts in last week’s fixtures against Guinea Bissau and Mali, which Sihlangu lost 0-1. Nsingizini Hotspurs and 2023/24 season’s best goalkeeper, Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini, is also a noticeable absentee. ‘Baraba’ was dropped last week due to injuries. Other dropped players include Royal Leopard duo of Junior Magagula and Simanga Masangane.   

Internationals

According to the list, 24 players, excluding internationals, will start training on Monday. New entrants include two of 8Bet Trade Fair Cup runners-up Moneni Pirates’ players. These are left winger attacker Mazwi ‘Zwide’ Sihlongonyane and Mthokozisi Gwebu. Meanwhile, champions Young Buffaloes saw Siboniso Sibandze and Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba earning a call-up. Ali Matse, whose selection seemed long overdue, is the fourth army-side player in the national team.  Meanwhile, ‘Birds’ Given Lukhele was also given a chance to join the national team.
According to a notice by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), Sihlangu will also revert to its two-day weekly training schedule, which was long abandoned. “The national team will intensify its training in preparation for the AFCON 2025 Qualifiers. The team will train on Mondays and Tuesdays until they go to a full-time camp during the October 2024 FIFA Week,’’ reads part of the letter.   

Meanwhile, a full-time training camp, based at the Lobamba Technical Centre, will commence on October 6 and continue until October 16. Eswatini will take on Mozambique in a back-to-back AFCON qualifying fixtures. The games are scheduled for October 7 and October 15. The nation’s pride is currently rock-bottom in Group I. Above them is Guinea Bissau with three points, while Mali and Mozambique are on four points apiece. Worth noting is that some players who had a good display at the Trade Fair tournament could not make it to the national team. They include top goalscorer in Buffaloes’ Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze. Pirates’ duo of Lindani ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa and Mthokozisi ‘General’ Hlatswako also did not disappoint last week.

Meanwhile, Swallows’ Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula, as well as Rangers’ Sandile ‘Maree’ Thwala, had impressive performances.   Efforts to get comments from EFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu hit a snag, while EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe said he was not aware of the new squad as he was on his way to Pretoria.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: