No internationals in Sihlangu provisional squad

MBABANE – Uncapped players dominate the provisional list of players selected for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers against Cape Verde.

Notably, this is the same squad that was circulating social media platforms in the last few days. However, Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe, was quoted by this publication yesterday disowning the squad. In the team that began preparations yesterday, there was no place for the two goalkeepers who were on duty for Sihlangu in the last outing late last year. The dropped goalkeepers are Mbabane Highlanders’ Khanyakezwe Shabalala and Sandanezwe Mathabela of Mbabane Swallows.

Also not making the list are Eswatini’s two internationals in Justice Figuareido and Lindo Mkhonta. The former plays for South Africa’s football second-tier side All Stars, while Mkhonta has recently completed a switch to Zambia giants Zesco United.

Sibusiso Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs FC), Mlamuli Makhanya (Royal Leopard FC), Mlungisi Nxumalo (Young Buffaloes FC) and Bhekisisa Dlamini (Moneni Pirates FC) got the nod between the sticks.

Bongiswa Dlamini, Njabulo Maziya (Buffaloes FC), Mpendulo Tfomo (Highlanders FC), Thubelihle Mavuso (Nsingizini Hotspurs FC) are also among the uncapped players who have also made the cut.

Radebe confirmed the latest developments in a press release yesterday.

In the statement, Radebe said the senior men’s national team yesterday commenced the preparations for the back-to-back TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 qualifying matches against Cape Verde to be played during the upcoming FIFA international break that will run from March 20-28, 2023. This will be round three and four of the qualifiers.

“The national team’s first phase of preparations will see the team train on Mondays and Tuesdays until March 7, 2023. The second phase will be a full-time camp starting on March 13, 2023 until March 18, 2023, when the national team is scheduled to depart for Cape Verde, subject to the confirmations and approval of the official match dates by CAF (Confederation of African Football),” reads the correspondence.

No immediate comment could be sourced from Head Coach Dominic Kunene. This publication wanted to establish if the internationals could still make the final team.