Dominic uneasy ahead of AFCON qualifier
MBABANE – Eswatini’s national team, Sihlangu, Head Coach Dominic Kunene feels that his team will face a tough challenge, as Somalia is well aware of their style of play.
Kunene was responding to a question about his thoughts on facing Somalia again, during his coaching tenure. “The game will be tricky, as we have played against them, and they know how to exploit our weaknesses,” he said. The coach added that he has faith in his team, which is yet to be finalised. “However, I trust that we will perform well,” Kunene emphasised.
Sihlangu is expected to commence full-time camp training today in preparation for their upcoming encounter against Somalia. The two teams were drawn together in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers preliminary round and are set to face off next week Wednesday (March 20).
It was earlier reported in our publication, that Sihlangu faces a costly trip, estimated to be close to a million Emalangeni, as Somalia have opted for Morocco as their host venue. Eswatini emerged victorious with a 2-1 score, courtesy of Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba, in one of their meetings on March 27, 2022.
Meanwhile, Ocean Stars, as Somalia is popularly known, have announced a 24-man final squad to face Eswatini, including internationals, such as the renowned Lionel Messi rival. The Rachid Lousteque-led squad boasts defender Abdi Salim, who plies his trade with Orlando City, a team in Major League Soccer (MLS), as revealed by the Somali Athlete official social media page.
It is worth noting that it remains a mystery as to which international players will join Sihlangu’s camp later. There are at least four such players, including Zambian side ZESCO United’s right-back Lindo ‘All-Trades’ Mkhonta, Botswana side midfielder Jwaneng Galaxy’s Mxolisi Mkhonto, Police XI’s midfielder Banele ‘Current Affairs’ Ndzabandzaba, and South African team Richards Bay forward, among others.