By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The national football team, Sihlangu, is set to confront a depleted Zimbabwe in a series of back-to-back CHAN qualifiers.
The Zimbabwean squad, under the leadership of under-23 coach Takesure Cheraw, is dominated by Under-20 and Under-23 players. This squad was unveiled on Monday afternoon and is scheduled to commence training camp today in Harare.
The contingent preparing for camp includes only four senior players. According to nehandaradio.com, these senior players are defender Godknows Murwira, goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, forward Obriel Chirinda, and midfielder Brian Banda.
The remainder of the squad is brimming with emerging talents, including Highlanders’ Prince Ndlovu and Bikita Minerals’ Enock Moyo, alongside Yadah’s duo of Anotida Gwatidzo and Blessed Ndereki.
In a unique twist, both Sihlangu and Zimbabwe will be hosting their home matches away from their respective countries. Zimbabwe will first host in Botswana, while Sihlangu will stage the second leg at Mbombela Stadium in South Africa.
The initial first leg match will take place at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on Sunday, October 27, 2024, before the teams travel to South Africa for the return fixture on November 2, 2024.
The winner of this encounter will advance to face Madagascar in the second round, scheduled for late December. Both nations have been barred by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA from hosting matches due to inadequate playing facilities.
Sihlangu is currently in training camp under Croatian coach Zdravko Logarusic, who has summoned 25 senior players for national duties. The CHAN tournament is exclusively for players engaged in their domestic leagues, in accordance with CAF’s regulations.
