‘Junior’ boost for Sihlangu
SIHLANGU have received a major boost ahead of their trip to Morocco for the 2024 AFCON qualifier against Somalia.
The nation’s pride will have Royal Leopard playmaker Junior Magagula available for selection ahead of their trip to North Africa.
Magagula had been doubtful for the trip due to an ankle injury he was carrying together with teammate Simanga Masangane and Green Mamba anchorman Innocent Dlamini.
Sihlangu will take on Somalia on March 20, 2024, in the preliminary round first leg encounter before the return leg on March 26, 2024, at Mbombela Stadium.
The trio trained on the sidelines during the squad media day held on Friday at EFA Technical Centre in Lobamba.
The three players have since been cleared by the squad medical panel headed by Mbabane Swallows medic Jabulani Dlamini.
Dlamini stated that the three players are now ready for selection.
“The three players have fully recovered from their injuries and they are now available for selection,” he said.
Sihlangu head coach Dominic Kunene is set to drop six players from his current 27-member squad. The Morrocco-bound team will be joined by two international players, Mxolisi Mkhonto (Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana ) and Justice Figareido (Richards Bay Fc, South Africa ) on Sunday evening in Johannesburg.
THE FULL SIHLANGU SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (Mbabane Highlanders F.C.), Sibusiso Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.), Ncamiso Dlamini (Royal Leopards F.C.)
Defenders
Sibonelo Sibandze (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Xolani Dlamini (Green Mamba F.C.), Mxolisi Manana (Green Mamba F.C.), Manqoba Maseko (Royal Leopard F.C.), Sibongakonkhe Silenge (Green Mamba F.C.), Gift Gamedze (Madlenya F.C.)
Midfielders
Nkosingiphile Shongwe (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.), Simanga Masangane (Royal Leopard F.C.), Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopard F.C.), Kwakhe Tfwala (Mbabane Swallows F.C.), Mpendulo Tfomo (Mbabane Highlanders F.C.), Neliswa Dlamini (Mbabane Swallows F.C.), Bongiswa Dlamini (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Innocent Dlamini (Green Mamba F.C.)
Strikers
Bongwa Matsebula (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Sandile Gamedze (Young Buffaloes), Thubelihle Mavuso (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.), Muzi Tsabedze (Manzini Sea Birds F.C)* Mthunzi Mkhontfo (Green Mamba F.C.), Ali Matse (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Junior Magagula (Royal Leopard F.C.), Ayanda Gadlela (Mbabane Swallows F.C.), Sabelo Ndzinisa (Green Mamba F.C.), Neliso Myeni (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.), Joseph Kibongi (Manzini Sea Birds F.C.)