BY SABELO GWEBU
MBABANE– Sihlangu played to a goalless draw against Lesotho in a friendly match on Thursday.
The game served as a preparatory for both nations’ back-to-back 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Cape Verde and Zambia respectively and it was played at the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) Technical Centre at Bambatha Ts’ita Sports Arena.
Zambian giants ZESCO United overlapping right back Lindo Mkhonta has been added to the Sihlangu squad currently in full-time camp and 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, left back Sikhumbuzo Magagula 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.
Just like Sihlangu, Likuena have to play its home matches in South Africa due to the unavailability of Setsoto Stadium, which has been suspended from hosting international matches. Also, the Somhlolo National Stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre remained banned by the continental governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
2023 AFCON QUALIFIERS FIXTURE:
Thursday March 24
Cape Verde vs Eswatini 6pm
Tuesday 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: Lindo Mkhonta (ZESCO United), 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)
