IN REACTION TO TIGHT SIHLANGU QUALIFIERS SCHEDULE: ... COACH WANTS GAMES FREEZE

MBABANE - Sihlangu Head Coach Zdravko Logarusic has expressed his concern over league games coinciding with his charges’ training.

The Croatian experienced gaffer said this during an interview with this publication. The interview was aimed at getting his overall impression of Sihlangu’s first day on full-time camp.
“I’m worried about the players competing under massive pressure. They have to travel and compete within a short space of time, which causes fatigue. I would like to appeal that the EFA and PLE find a lasting solution. There is a great need for the national team to have adequate time to train and be prioritised,” he said. Meanwhile, in Kenya, where the coach was active in club football, Premier League games were earlier said to have been postponed for a month so that players are able to focus on the national team.

Started

The national team squad reportedly started off with 23 players on Monday. There was an addition of some players yesterday. Furthermore, the Mbabane Swallows duo of Kwakhe Thwala and Bongi Magagula are expected to join today after their game with Madlenya. International duo of Richards Bay forward Justice ‘Figa’ Figuareido and ZESCO United Assistant Captain Lindo ‘All-Trades’ Mkhonta are expected to join, this coming weekend. It is said that the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) is still finalising their travelling logistics. Sihlangu will face Mozambique at Zimpeto Stadium at 3pm on Friday, October 11.

Played

The return match will be played at Mbombela Stadium at 9pm, three days later. That means the players will have to play three games within nine days including league games this weekend. The players would also have to spend time travelling as home games are hosted outside the country. A busy schedule lies ahead for his troops, as they compete in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Nations Championship (CHAN) Qualifiers from October 25 to 27, 2024. The games would continue from November 1 to 13, 2024. The second round is purportedly scheduled for December.

Meanwhile, the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), through their Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Petros ‘Pat’ Vilakati released a circular with an amendment fixture of upcoming games, yesterday. There will be no games, on Sunday. “In support of the national team’s preparations, the PLE will release players early to allow them to focus on international commitments,” reads part of the notice.

Results

Logarusic further said he was aiming to achieve better results against ‘The Mambas’, as Mozambique are fondly known. “I do not have much knowledge about their squad but aware they are good. We have to respect our opponents. However, we have to organise ourselves properly and do what we can do,” he added.  Head Coach Chiquinho Conde has called up a 25-man squad to face Eswatini. It is headlined by internationally-based players including Atletico Madrid’s defender Reinildo Mandava, Bandirmaspor’s Edson Sitoe and Sporting Clube de Portugal’s striker, Geny Catamo, among others.

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