By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The National team, Sihlangu Assistant Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane said there is plenty to fight for against Guinea Bissau in the AFCON Qualifiers match despite Sihlangu already being out of qualifying for the tournament.
Ntibane will be in charge of the team when it takes on Guinea Bissau this evening at Mbombela Stadium, South Africa after Head Coach Zdrako Logarusic went Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL), kick-off is at 6pm.
Ntibane, after his last training session on Thursday afternoon at the venue said the team was ready to fight for a win especially to keep its dignity and also improve in the FIFA Rankings. Sihlangu is currently at position 160 out of 209 countries in the latest FIFA Rankings.
“The spirit is high and the boys are focused. We have one suspension of Sifiso Matse for yellow card but the depth is there and the experience is there so we are going to work. We have played for sometimes here and we are used. We know that the altitude will affect them and we will try to play high intensity so that they quickly get out of gas and then punish them,” he said.
Ntibane said they should have stolen the game from the first leg but were unlucky and now they are confident that they can be victorious this time around. He said they can win the game especially as they are hosts.
“Dignity and FIFA rankings are key and we are taking all our games serious to improve our rankings,” he said.
Meanwhile, Guineas Bissau coach said they were also ready for the game and they are also to fight for the maximum points. He said it will be a tough game for both teams.
“We are expecting a tough game as we are aware that everyone wants to win. Our full focus is on this match as we had a job to do as we still have chances of qualifying,” he said.
