… ‘Sithobela’, ‘Mbhonyo, Sikhumbuzo also added ahead of crunch AFCON qualifier.
BY SABELO GWEBU
MBABANE– Zambian giants overlapping right back Lindo Mkhonta has been added to the Sihlangu squad currently in full-time camp for the back-to-back 2023 AFCON qualifier matches against Cape Verde.
The Sihlangu captain was one of many surprise omissions from the provisional squad announced by Head Coach Dominic Kunene over two weeks ago. After the recall of Mbabane Highlanders goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala late last week, Kunene has added three more in his squad including Lindo, Royal Leopard goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini and Siboniso ‘Sithobela’ Mamba of Young Buffaloes who has just returned from a lengthy injury.
“The Technical bench of the Senior Men National Team (Sihlangu) has added Sikhumbuzo Magagula, Ncamiso Dlamini from Royal Leopard, Siboniso Mamba from Young Buffaloes, and Lindo Mkhonta from Zesco United (Zambia) to be part of the national team camp. This full-time camp commenced today (Monday) at the Technical Centre in Lobamba,” the Eswatini Football Association said in a statement.
The bid to secure a place in Africa’s biggest football spectacle, the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations officially resumes in 10 days time with some eye-catching encounters as African nations prepare to put their best foot forward to seal a place in the continental showpiece set for the Ivory Coast next year.
A total of 44 nations will be in action over the week of March 22 to March 24, 2023, with some nations looking at extending their leads, while others look to regain ground in the qualification race.
Sihlangu is in Group B and played to a 2-all draw away to Togo in the opening game before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Burkina Faso on match-day two which the nation’s pride hosted at FNB Stadium in neighboring South Africa.
2023 AFCON QUALIFIERS FIXTURE:
March 24
Cape Verde vs Eswatini 6pm
March 28
Eswatini vs Cape Verde 3pm
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
SIHLANGU SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (Mbabane Highlanders), Ncamiso Dlamini (Royal Leopard), 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), Siboniso Mamba (Young Buffaloes), Sikhumbuzo Magagula (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)
