By Ntokozo Magong
MBABANE – The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has announced 20 players to face Guinea Bissau in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers despite Coach Zdrako Logarusic reported Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL).
The team will travel to Nelspruit, Mbombela Stadium to face Guinea Bissau on Friday (November 15, 2024) evening, 6pm. The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) was yet to give clarity on the whereabouts of the Croatian Coach, Logurusic who is reported to be missing from Tuesday, with less than about 30 hours be the match kick-off.
The list of the players was released by the EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe on Thursday morning after the reports of the missing coach were already making headlines.
Sihlangu is already out of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON to be played in Morocco as they sit bottom of the table with a point and two games remaining. Their last game will be against Mali on Tuesday November 19, 2024.
The squad comprise of Mbabane Swallows midfielder Kwakhe Thwala who missed the CHAN first round qualifiers against Zimbabwe, MTN Premier League top goal scorer, Green Mamba’s Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Royal Leopard duo of Junior Magagula and Sifiso Matse among others.
In the absence of the Head Coach Logurusic, Assistant Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane is expected to be in charge of the team. Logurusic took over the team from Ntibane who led it to the COSAFA Cup in July and was in charge of two matches in the AFCON Qualifiers.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Xolani Gama (Green Mamba) and Mlungisi Nxumalo (Young Buffaloes)
Defenders: Gift Gamedze, Simanga Masangane (Green Mamba), Mxolisi Manana, Sibongakonkhe Silenge (Royal Leopard), Sibonelo Sibandze, Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba (Young Buffaloes) and Ndumiso Ndaba (Manzini Sea Birds)
Midfielders: Junior Magagula, Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopard), Kwakhe Thwala (Mbabane Swallows), Mpendulo Tfomo (Manzini Sea Birds), Neliswa Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs), Siboniso Ngwenya (Young Buffaloes)
Strikers: Bongwa Matsebula (Young Buffaloes), Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa (Green Mamba, Philani Mkhontfo (Mbabane Highlanders), Mthokozisi Gwebu (Manzini Sea Birds) and Thubelihle Mavuso (Nsingizini Hotspurs).
