MBABANE – New week, fresh additions.
That is how the national team has decided to do things. Just last week, they called up Young Buffaloes Siboniso ‘Gaxa’ Ngwenya and Mbabane Highlanders’ Khanyakezwe Shabalala.
This week the national team has called upon two Royal Leopard players in left back, Sikhumbuzo ‘Skhulu’ Magagula and goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini, as well as Young Buffaloes on-form defender Siboniso ‘Sithobela’ Mamba.
Another addition is that of Zesco United’s defender Lindo Mkhonta. The former Young Buffaloes right-back is not eligible to play when Sihlangu resume their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign away at Cape Verde next Friday (March 24). This is because he got a red card in Sihlangu’s last outing against Burkina Faso, as Sihlangu lost 3-1. He got the marching orders six minutes before full-time. The AFCON game was played at Orlando Stadium, last year on June 7. He will only be eligible to play in the return match against Cape Verde, which will be played days after the away match. This makes him the only selected players plying his trade beyond the country’s borders.
At least 10 days before the trip to Cape Verde, there is still no place for MTN Premier League sharp shooter Felix Badenhorst in Sihlangu. Badenhorst has scored 17 goals to lead the charts in the current MTN Premier League season. “This is to advise that Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has informed the PLE office that it is requesting for the release of Ncamiso Dlamini and Sikhumbuzo Magagula from Royal Leopard and Siboniso Mamba from Young Buffaloes,” reads the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) press release which was copied to this publication yesterday.
In another press release from the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), Zesco United’s Mkhonta has been called to join the national team. “The technical bench of the senior men’s national team (Sihlangu) has added Sikhumbuzo Magagula, Ncamiso Damini from Royal Leopard FC, Siboniso Mamba from Young Buffaloes FC, and Lindo Mkhonta from Zesco United FC (Zambia) to be part of the national team camp. This full-time camp commenced today (yesterday) at the Technical Centre in Lobamba. Sihlangu is preparing for the upcoming TotalEnergies AFCON Qualifiers 2023 against Cape Verde,” reads the press release.
The national team went to camp yesterday in preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) two-legged clash against Cape Verde. The first leg will be played away from home. It will be played on March 24, while the second leg will be played in South Africa since Eswatini does not have stadiums that can host CAF games. Sources have revealed that it is highly likely to be played at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga. EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe referred this publication to the released statement when enquired were made on the continued snub of the Swallows marksman (Badenhorst). Sihlangu Coach Dominic Kunene was unreachable.
