MBABANE – Under gathering clouds of uncertainty, two goalkeepers have reportedly received their national team call-up once again.
Ezulwini United shot-stopper Siyabonga ‘Gabhadiya’ Magagula and Young Buffaloes’ Mlungisi ‘Letticia’ Nxumalo swiftly picked up these calls and joined the camp at Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre at Lobamba on Friday.
This is after Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Makhanya suffered an injury within the first 10 minutes of Sihlangu’s clash against Eritrea in Morocco last Wednesday. From this, Eswatini suffered a mini blow, but Qiniso Nyawo was available to proceed with the task at hand.
Reports indicate that Makhanya dislocated his shoulder, which rules him out of action for at least one week. With limited time on Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane’s hands before their second leg clash, he was forced to make changes to his squad.
Sihlangu recorded a 0-2 deficit and need a minimum of three goals, while hoping not to concede when they meet Eritrea tomorrow. The decider is slated for 4pm at Somhlolo National Stadium. The aggregate winner will join other nations in the group stages. Eswatini has begun their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers journey.
Nxumalo played his debut match with the national team under then Croatian tactician Zdravko Logarusic. This now makes him the only goalkeeper with a bit of international experience at national team level. Magagula, on the other hand, eagerly awaits his fateful day.
Eritrea arrived in Eswatini yesterday in preparation for their encounter. The last match played against Sihlangu by this side at Eswatini’s biggest soccer mecca resulted in a goalless draw back in 2008.
The now Heshan Yakan-led side arrives in a new-look form after spending years away from international competition and scouting their players across the globe. Yakan recently expressed that he hoped to record history and complete a double over Eswatini on their home soil. Heading to this fixture, Ntibane’s charges are under pressure to impress after being winless for a minimum of six consecutive games across various competitions.
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