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MBABANE – Former Sihlangu Captain Dennis ‘Denmark’ Fakudze has warned the national team to be wary of Togo, as they are an offensive side.

The retired Ingwe Mabalabala overlapping right back and now physical trainer was captained the local side when they played the ‘Sparrowhawks’, as the Togolese national team was fondly known as, in the 2008 World Cup Qualifiers.

Eswatini sent shock waves as they defeated a star-studded Togo squad 2-1, lead by one of Africa’s lethal striker former Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayo. This was in the memorable June 8, 2008 in a fully-packed Somhlolo National Stadium.

The local side which was coached by South African gaffer Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba, goals came via the boots of Siza ‘King Pele’ Dlamini and Collen Selelwako in the 55th and 73rd minute, respectively.

Fakudze said in the return match which was played in a neutral venue Togo was all over Eswatini from the onset.

Advise

“They attacked us from the first whistle in the second leg, but since football has changed over the years, I can advise Sihlangu to sit a bit and launch quick counter-attacks,” Fakudze said.

He also said Sihlangu should be compact in defence and try not to leave open spaces as Togo boasted dangerous strikers with Europe experience.

Sihlangu suffered a humiliation defeat of 6-0 in the second leg which was played in Ghana as they were serving a three-match ban imposed by FIFA, after two Mali footballers were violently assaulted in Lome.

The Sparrowhawks won one and drew one of their international friendly matches; they beat Sierra Leone 3-0 on March 24 and drew 1-1 with Benin on March 29, 2022.

Meanwhile, Sihlangu beat Mozambique 1-0 on May 24 and lost to Botswana two days later by a solitary goal.