International friendlies for Sihlangu - FA

MBABANE – The national team Sihlangu will be kept busy with international friendly matches until the next tournament which is the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers in September.

Sihlangu has just been knocked out of the African Nations Championships (CHAN) by Zimbabwe’s Warriors on a 5-1 aggregate scoreline. The locals lost 2-1 at home and then went on to lose 3-0 away in Zimbabwe over the weekend. With both the COSAFA Cup and AFCON Qualifiers well after the FIFA World Cup which starts in June, the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) has assured it will keep the team busy.

“We have a programme for the national team and looking at it there’ll be nothing like a break as we have some tournaments coming up which we must prepare for. Our team needs time together for the players to get used to one another and also be exposed to international level,” said NFAS’ Chief Executive Officer Frederick Mngomezulu.

He said they were yet to refine the programme as they have noted that if the team could be given enough time and more international friendlies, it could come together and with time, it will be able to compete well. He praised the squad that lost to Zimbabwe despite the loss, saying some of the players had just earned their first caps.

“One must add that local players have to be ready for call ups to the squad but that means they should play to their best capabilities,” he added.
Sihlangu’s next official game is the AFCON Qualifier against the continent’s giants of football Ghana in September at the Somhlolo National Stadium. Dates for the COSAFA Cup were still to be confirmed.

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