LOBAMBA – Eswatini Under-23 head coach Friday Myeni has warned that Algeria will present a completely different challenge after his side secured progression against Malawi.
The young Sihlangu advanced to the next stage following a 1-1 draw against Malawi at Somhlolo National Stadium, winning 2-1 on aggregate. Myeni praised his players for their resilience in a physically demanding encounter, but quickly turned his focus to the daunting task ahead.
“Thanks for the support, Eswatini. It was a challenging game, but my players were resilient. It worked for us and gave us an edge, especially after the introduction of Malwande,” Myeni said.
The coach expects Algeria to pose a distinct tactical threat and stressed that Eswatini must remain cautious while exploiting their own strengths.
“We have to adopt a tactical approach. We will be cautious against Algeria, trying to contain them before hitting them on the counter-attack,” he explained.
Myeni highlighted several areas for improvement, including attacking play, energy sustainability, and defensive discipline, pointing to a lapse in concentration that allowed Malawi to equalise. He also noted that physical duels are one of the team’s assets, though managing away atmospheres will be vital.
Despite the hurdles, Myeni acknowledged the victory’s significance for the nation following a tough spell for the senior team.
Goalscorer Njongo shared his relief and delight after finding the net. “It felt good to score. When I was presented with that opportunity, I could feel it was going in. We fought together and got the result we wanted,” he said.
