By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The national team, Sihlangu is hoping to secure their first point in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers when they face Angola this evening at 6pm, at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda.
It was a bad start for the Dominic Kunene led side in the qualifiers as they lost 2-0 to Cape Verde in the opening match and 1-0 to Libya in their second game. Sihlangu is last in the six teams group without a point and this evening, they will be hoping to change that.
Kunene left with 20 players including two internationals in Zambia’s Zesco United’s Lindo Mkhontfo and Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy’s Mxolisi Mkhontfo, while Angola have 23 internationals from the 28 members squad that was called to camp by Coach Pedro Goncalves.
For goals, Kunene will rely on from Green Mamba’s striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, who is the country’s top goal scorer and Royal Leopard’s goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini is set to start at goal posts considering his vast experience over Nsingizini Hotspurs’ goalkeeper Sibusiso ‘Bharaba’ Dlamini.
Others who are set to make it to the starting 11 include the Captain Sifiso Matse in midfield, Mxolisi Mkhontfo, Kwakhe Thwala and Lindo Mkhontfo among others.
The Palancas Negras, as Angola is affectionately known, have struggled in their last three matches, securing only 2 points in their first two games of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. In their first two qualifiers, Angola recorded a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde and a 0-0 draw against Mauritius.
Angola football national team squad is dominated by players who ply their trade in Europe and they boast of relegated English Premier League side Burnley forward Manual Benson.
There are only five players playing in the Angolan National Championship (Girabola 2023/24).
