SIHLANGU BEGIN CAMP

… For AFCON qualifiers against Cape Verde

BY SABELO GWEBU

SOCCER – For over three years now, goalkeepers Sandanezwe Mathabela and Khanyakwezwe Shabalala have contested for the Sihlangu number one shirt and were the surprise omissions as Dominic Kunene announced his squad that went camping on Monday.

Sihlangu will play islanders Cape Verde in back-to-back 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers during the upcoming FIFA International Window that will start from 20 -28 March 2023.

“The national team’s first phase of preparations will see the team train on Mondays and Tuesdays until March 7. The second phase will be a full-time camp starting on March 13 until March 18 when the national team is scheduled to depart for Cape Verde, subject to the confirmations and approval of the official match dates by CAF,” said Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe as he released the full list of the squad.

2023 AFCON Qualifiers Group B               

P          W        D         L         GF       GA      PTS

1 Burkina Faso           2          2          0          0          5          1          6

2 Cape Verde              2          1          0          1          2          2          3

3 Eswatini                   2          0          1          1          3          5          1

4 Togo                         2          0          1          1          2          4          1

MTN Premier League leading top scorer and Sihlangu’s all-time top scorer Felix Badenhorst is not part of the squad after he announced his retirement from international football. The surviving players from Kunene’s squad that played the 2022 COSAFA Cup and September AFCON qualifiers include Philani Mkhontfo, Sabelo ‘Sikh‘li’ Ndzinisa, Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze and Leon Manyisa among others as the former Young Buffaloes coach has gone for whole sale changes.

Sihlangu are in Group B and played to a 2-all draw away to Togo in the opening game before suffering a 3-1 defeat to African powerhouse Burkina Faso on match-day two which the nation’s pride hosted at FNB Stadium in neighbouring South Africa.

SIHLANGU SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Sibusiso Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs), Mlamuli Makhanya (Royal Leopard), Mlungisi Nxumalo (Young Buffaloes) and Bhekisisa Dlamini (Moneni Pirates)

Defenders: Simanga Masangane (Royal Leopards), Sihlangu Mkhwanazi (Young Buffaloes), Vusi Vilakati (Mbabane Highlanders), Gift Gamedze (Madlenya), Lucky Gamedze (Madlenya), Mcolisi Manana (Green Mamba), Mlamuli Msibi (Royal Leopard) and Mkhuleko Magagula (Manzini Sea Birds)

Midfielders: Mzwandile Mabelesa (Royal Leopard), Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopard), Kwakhe Tfwala (Young Buffaloes), Bongiswa Dlamini (Young Buffaloes), Sandile Gamedze (Young Buffaloes), Leon Manyisa (Mbabane Swallows) and Mpendulo Tfomo (Mbabane Highlanders)

Strikers: Sabelo Ndzinisa (Green Mamba), Thubelihle Mavuso (Nsingizini Hotspurs), Bongwa Matsebula (Young Buffaloes), Fanelo Mamba (Young Buffaloes), Philani Mkhontfo (Mbabane Highlanders) and Njabulo Maziya (Madlenya)