By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The National football team, Sihlangu coach Zdravko Logarusic will be put to test in one of the must win games in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against ‘The Mambas’ Mozambique.
The third game under Group I of the qualifiers will kick-off this afternoon at 3pm at the Estadio do Zimpeto Stadium, outside Maputo. This is the third game in the qualifiers for both countries.
This will also be the Sihlangu Croatian Coach Zdravko Logarusic first game in full charge of the team having been training the squad for the past two weeks. Sihlangu lies at the bottom of the four team log without a point having lost their opening matches against Guinea Bissau and Mali, 1-0, 1-0.
Mozambique has made an unbeaten start to their qualifying campaign and they’ve enjoyed a fine run of form in 2024, losing just one of their nine matches since the year started. They are top of the table with four points, same with Mali while Guinea Bissau is third with three points.
The Mambas played a 1-1 draw with Group I favourites Mali and extended their undefeated streak to five games following a 2-1 win over Guinea-Bissau.
Mozambique had qualified for the AFCON five times while Sihlangu is yet to debut in the continental tournament.
In the FIFA rankings, Mozambique is ranked 99th while Eswatini seats at 159.
Sihlangu Coach Logarusic admits that Mozambique will present a tough challenge as he goes in search of his first win at the helm but the team is ready for the challenge and they will give their best.
He said it was important that they go to Mozambique with a positive mind and fight for the positive results to make the country proud.
Sihlangu will be boasted by the presence of two international players in Richards Bay Justice Figuareido and Zambia’s Zesco United Lindo Mkhonto who will be wearing the captain’s arm band.
The two sides will also clash on Monday at Mbombela Stadium, South Africa, kick-off 9pm.
