Times Of Swaziland: SIHLANGU CANNOT BE  RULED OUT – ANTHONY

SIHLANGU CANNOT BE  RULED OUT – ANTHONY
================================================================================
Ashmond Nzima on 10/09/2018 08:55:00


MANZINI – Sihlangu interim coach Anthony Mdluli feels the national side should
not lose hope in their bid to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in
Cameroon next year.
Reacting to the 0-2 loss to Tunisia in the second match of the qualifiers at
Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday, Mdluli conceded the two north African giants who
include second-placed Egypt were favourites to make the cut. “Tunisia and
Egypt are the strongest in the group, so it will be difficult. “We still
can’t be ruled out and the team needs at least six points. However, we have to
be realistic as we play against professional teams,” said Mdluli. Commenting
about the game, Mdluli stressed that his troops put up a brave fight, especially
in the second half, saying the goals were as a result of errors.
“Firstly, I would like to apologise to the players and the supporters. “We
played a highly-tactical and professional team that capitalised on our errors
that included an unnecessary back pass. We tried our best to be compact and the
opponents could not attack us directly,” he stressed.  Asked on the way
forward, the former Manzini Wanderers coach said the Eswatini Football
Association (EFA) would give a directive, as his assignment was to lead the side
in yesterday’s fixture. “Our task as the technical bench was to lead the
team in this match. The recruitment process of a permanent head coach is
ongoing.
“We can only advise that the team should continue training ahead of the trip
to Egypt,” he said. Winning coach Faouzi Benzarti felt Sihlangu did come to
the party. “It was a good game of missed chances. “Tunisia has good chances
of qualifying, but Egypt are also well positioned,” said the French-speaking
gaffer, who had Mbabane Swallows trainer Ettiene Massoye by his side as an
interpreter.