By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – International football players will not be part of the National team, Sihlangu to face Guinea Bissau and Mali in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.
Sihlangu Coach Zdravko Logurusic said he will use only local players for the two games to be played during the international or FIFA week next week. Sihlangu is already out of the qualifiers as they are seating bottom of Group I with one point and two games remaining.
Sihlangu faces Guinea Bissau on November 11 and then Mali on November 15.
The Coach said he want to use the games as preparations for the CHAN Qualifiers round two against Madagascar to be played late December. He said he wants the team to get good practice matches against Guinea Bissau and Mali.
Sihlangu reached round two of the CHAN Qualifiers after eliminating Zimbabwe aggregate 4-0 in the first round.
“We have a chance of qualifying for the CHAN tournament but there is Madagascar standing in our way. I want the team to be well prepared and I will give it the chance to ply the AFCON Qualifiers matches and I won’t be calling the intentional players,” he said.
The international players are Captain Lindo Mkhonta who plays for Zesco in Zambia, Justice Figareido who plays for Richards Bay in South Africa, Mcolisi Mkhontfo for Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy, Banele Ndzabandzaba who plays for Botswana Police in Botswana. Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze who play in Tanzania has never been called up to the national team.
