Sihlangu full-time camp next week
MBABANE – Revealed!
A source close to the senior men’s national team Sihlangu said the projected full-time camp for the squad had been penned for next week Saturday. Coach Dominic Kunene announced a 27-man tentative team, in a media briefing held at the Sigwaca House, which was graced by the presence of Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe, this past Friday.
The former Young Buffaloes mentor’s squad is without the international players, in the form of DStv Premiership side Richards Bay, Justice ‘Figa’ Figareuido, Zambia’s top side ZESCO defender Lindo Mkhonta, Botswana-based duo of Police XI, midfield maestro Banele ‘Stiga’ Ndzabandzaba and newly-signed Jwaneng Galaxy midfielder Mxolisi ‘Kudus’ Mkhonto.
The source said the EFA was yet to inform the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) on the players who had been called up for the 2025 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) two-legged preliminary round against Somalia next month.
“I gathered that Sihlangu will be going to full-time camp next week,” the source said. Meanwhile, Radebe confirmed that the squad would go to full-time camp at the Lobamba Technical Centre in preparation of the Somalia game next weekend.
“Sihlangu will go to full-time camp on March 10, 2024,” Radebe said.
The spokesperson was quizzed on whether the PLE had been informed about the scheduled camp, so that they could be in a position to plan on how to implement the MTN Premier League games.
“I think the responsible office is currently doing those logistics. Unfortunately, I’m currently out of the office,” he said.
On the other hand, the PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kenneth Makhanya, was diplomatic in his response when quizzed on whether the league would take a break during the national team’s camp and matches against Somalia.
“The rules cover the situation you are referring to,” Makhanya said.
It is worth mentioning that Kunene, when announcing the squad, said the internationals would join the rest of the players during the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) week.