MBABANE – Sihlangu have been dealt a major blow ahead of their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Influential Captain and defender Lindo ‘Bhabhalazi’ Mkhonta has been confirmed as suspended. The full-back, a powerful presence in the side, is unavailable for selection against Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks after accumulating two yellow cards in the qualifying campaign.
His first caution came just shy of the 50-minute mark in Eswatini’s disappointing 1-2 defeat to Mauritius on June 11, 2024, when the national team was still managed by now-Young Buffaloes tactician Dominic Kunene.
Mkhonta was then booked again nine minutes past the hour-mark during the 2-2 home draw with Angola at Somhlolo National Stadium this past Wednesday.
In that match, Sihlangu surrendered a two-goal lead in front of several dignitaries, including Sports Portfolio Committee Chairman and Dvokodvweni Member of Parliament (MP) Sifiso Shabalala, Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane and his executive committee and Nsingizini Hotspurs President Derrick Shiba, among others.
Impeccable sources have confirmed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) formally notified the local football governing body that Mkhonta must miss the upcoming fixture due to the caution rule.
Further reports suggest that the enterprising forward Justice Figuareido is a serious doubt after sustaining an injury, which forced his substitution in the 62nd minute of the draw with Angola.
Figuareido was the hero on the day, netting a brace, courtesy of neat passes from Mkhonta and Nsingizini Hotspurs midfielder Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini.
It is notable that Dlamini was subsequently dropped from the 20-man squad, selected by Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane, that travelled to Cape Verde under the guidance of Team Manager Dumsani Sibandze and Head of Delegation Sicelo Nene.
Sihlangu will complete their disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign by visiting the Blue Sharks at 6pm today. The match is scheduled for the Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde.
Eswatini suffered a 0-2 defeat in the reverse fixture, which was staged at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa.
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