By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows and Nsingizini Hotspurs are dominating the new look National team, Sihlangu, announced by new interim Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane on Thursday afternoon.
There are seven players from Mbabane Swallows who won the MTN Premier League and five from Nsingizini Hotspurs with Green Mamba having four players. The squad is made up of young players as the focus turns to developing the team for coming tournaments including the COSAFA Cup and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers to start in December.
Some of the players who had been left out include MTN Premier League top goal scorer Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Captain Sifiso Matse, Royal Leopard goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini, international players Justice Figareido, Lindo Mkhontfo and Mxolisi Mkhontfo among others.
Ntibane called 24 players that are expected to report for camp on Friday to start preparations for the COSAFA Cup to be played from June 27 to July 7 in Gleberha (Port Elizabeth) South Africa.
The Mbabane Swallows players are Leon Manyisa, Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala, Kwakhe Thwala, Ayanda Gadlela, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini and Newman Philiswa. Players from Nsingizini Hotspurs are Nkosiphingphile Shongwe, Sibusiso Dlamini, Thubelihle Mavuso, Sibonginkhosi Dlamini and Sambulo Simelane.
Other players are Green Mamba’s Xolani Dlamini, Mxolisi Manana, Nkosingiphile Silenge, Innocent Dlamini and Xolani Gama. The rest of the team consists of Royal Leopard Simanga Masangane and Junior Magagula, Young Buffaloes Bongiswa Dlamini and Owa Matsebula, Moneni Pirates Wandile Simelane, Ezulwini United Siyabonga Magagula and Madlenya FC Gift Gamedze.
THE FULL SQUAD:
Mbabane Swallows: Leon Manyisa, Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala, Kwakhe Thwala, Ayanda Gadlela, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini and Newman Philiswa.
Nsingizini Hotspurs: Nkosiphingphile Shongwe, Sibusiso Dlamini, Thubelihle Mavuso, Sibonginkhosi Dlamini and Sambulo Simelane.
Green Mamba: Xolani Dlamini, Mxolisi Manana, Nkosingiphile Silenge, Innocent Dlamini and Xolani Gama.
Royal Leopard: Simanga Masangane and Junior Magagula.
Young Buffaloes: Bongiswa Dlamini and Owa Matsebula.
Moneni Pirates: Wandile Simelane
Ezulwini United: Siyabonga Magagula
Madlenya: Gift Gamedze
