Times Of Swaziland: SIHLANGU TO SWIM WITH ‘BLUE SHARKS’

SIHLANGU TO SWIM WITH ‘BLUE SHARKS’
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Sanele Jele on 28/03/2023 08:56:00


MBABANE – If you have managed a goalless draw away, the odds of winning at
home are high.
That is exactly what an avid football follower is envisaging ahead of the second
leg of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, where Sihlangu will host Cape
Verde away from home.
Dominic Kunene’s troops are hosts on foreign land, following the Confederation
of African Football (CAF)’s directive that all countries who do not have
stadiums that meet their standards must find alternative venues outside their
borders.
Draw
Eswatini chose Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit to host the Blue Sharks of Cape
Verde, who they held to a goalless draw last Friday at their own backyard.
Somhlolo National Stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre both do not qualify to host
CAF matches at the moment. The odds favour the home side, as they welcome back
experienced captain and Zesco United right-back Lindo Mkhonta and one of the
most improved midfielders in Eswatini in Kwakhe Thwala. The pair could not play
in the away encounter against Cape Verde due to suspensions.
Stability
While Mkhonta is expected to bring stability at the back, Thwala is sure to
bring creative play and flow in the middle of the park and possible amplify
scoring opportunities for the hosts.
The visitors, on the other hand, are minus their most influential striker and
Sporting Lisbon’s Jovane Cabral who is out due to injury. This could work in
favour of the home side. The Kunene-led technical bench will bank their hopes on
Green Mamba and last season’s runner-up striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa
and Young Buffaloes forward Njabulo Maziya. While the latter is still wet behind
his ears, the duo has been on-form in the league. Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze
when he is at his best could provide more attacking options upfront.
Boast
Speaking of threats, the away side will be coming into this match looking for
maximum points, after failing to do so at home and they could possible and
easily win as they boast over 20 internationals in their squad who play in top
leagues in the world. Some of them are San Jose Earthquakes’ Jamiro Monteiro,
who ply his trade in the United States of America, Al –Nasr from United Arab
Emirates’ Captain Ryan Mendes , Olympiacos’ Garry Rodrigues, a top side
Greece and Benfica’s Gilson Tavares. Sihlangu who are currently one place from
the bottom, need no motivation in this clash, as a win will steer them to
second. It is a do or die clash.