Internationals’ game time impressive
MBABANE – This week’s international focus gives insight on the level of performance of Mxolisi Mkhonto and Justice ‘Figa’ Figuareido.
The duo recently received a national team call-up for the clash against Somalia today.
They joined Sihlangu on Sunday and trained with the team in Morocco yesterday when final touches were done, having arrived on Monday afternoon. The Ocean Stars will host Eswatini for their preliminary round of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.
Eswatini international and Botswana side Mxolisi Mkhonto’s game time has been impressive, either forming part of the starting line-up or coming in as a substitute.
The Sihlangu and former Green Mamba midfielder Mkhonto signed for Botswana Premiership side Jwaneng Galaxy in January on a lucrative two year deal for a transfer fee of E200 000, despite the Correctional Services side’s rumoured asking price of E350 000.
Mkhonto has formed part of the starting line-up at least four times since his arrival. This was during their 2-0 win against Tafic over the weekend. He further made the list during their 3-0 victory against Holy Ghost and in Botswana’s Orange FA Cup tournament, which is expected to continue next week among other games. Mkhonto started the game on March 16 against BDF XI and was substituted just against Security Systems XI at the Lobatse Sports Complex Stadium, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 victory on January 31.
Mkhonto was earlier quoted saying the intensity of training in Botswana was very high. “One needs to always be alert and focused. The standard of play is definitely better here, and I believe that being exposed to this level of competition will help me improve as a player,” he said.
Penalty
His side currently occupy the summit of the Botswana Premier League standings with 44 points after 17 matches played.
Meanwhile, Eswatini international and South Africa’s Richards Bay forward, Figuareido did not have a great weekend, missing a penalty in their Nedbank Cup match against Supersport United over the weekend. Figuareido has been dominating the Natal Boys starting line-up ever since his arrival at the beginning of this season. He scored a lone goal during their clash against Moroka Swallows and was eventually named Man of the Match on September 15, 2023.
The right-footed former Denver Sundowns player penned a two-year deal from Cape Town All Stars. His team are relegation threatened, seated at 20th spot on the DStv Premiership standings with 14 points form 20 games. Figures from transfermarkt.com revealed that the Eswatini player’s value had shot up to E4 million by the end of January this year.