Times Of Swaziland: PEACEMAKERS, SEA BIRDS FOR SIHLANGU AFCON PREPS PEACEMAKERS, SEA BIRDS FOR SIHLANGU AFCON PREPS ================================================================================ BY ASHMOND NZIMA on 02/09/2018 02:28:00 MHLUME – A four-team tournament featuring Mhlume Peacemakers will serve as part of Sihlangu’s preparations for next Sunday’s tough AFCON match against Africa’s top-ranked side Tunisia. Peacemakers, who are finalising their transition from the country’s football third-tier (Super League) to top flight football, are set to feature in the tournament alongside National First Division champions Manzini Sea Birds, Mbabane Highlanders and the national team. The games will be played at Mhlume Stadium today from 2pm. Entry fee is E20. The national outfit will be preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier set for Mavuso Sports Centre, while the other sides want to stay in shape for opening games of the Premier League. The league will start on the weekend of September 14-16. This was confirmed by Peacemakers’ Chairman Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo, whose team has bought Matsapha United’s elite status. He was addressing supporters during a meeting at Hambanathi Hall in Mhlume yesterday. “We will parade our current players as well as those we target to sign,” said Nxumalo. Sihlangu are fresh from back-to-back defeats in international preparatory matches played in Lesotho between last Sunday and Monday. They lost 1-0 and 2-0. Coach Anthony Mdluli, when sought for comment last night, said he was yet to get a confirmation on the issue from management. Eswatini Football Association Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said he was not aware of the friendly match. CEO Frederick Mngomezulu’s phone rang unanswered. Worth mentioning, Sihlangu’s recent visit to Lesotho was not announced to the media. One of participating teams Manzini Sea Birds Manager London Dlamini confirmed his side’s participation in the games. “As Sea Birds we will only play Sihlangu and Peacemakers,” said Dlamini. Highlanders also confirmed their participation in the games. Sihlangu will face Tunisia at 3pm. Entrance fee is E50. Tunisia are top of the group with three points after round one following a 1-0 win over Egypt. Sihlangu are already playing catch-up after firing blanks in the goalless draw away at Niger in their opening match. Meanwhile, Tunisia are 110 places above Eswatini on the FIFA rankings.