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‘CHOCCO’, MACHAWE JOIN SIHLANGU CAMP

12/11/2014 05:19:00 BY DUMISANI NTIWANE

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MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders captain Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze’s dazzling form has been rewarded with a Sihlangu call up.

He joined the squad’s full-time camp yesterday. Also recalled to the squad, which is currently in fulltime camp at the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) Technical Centre is Royal Leopard central defender Machawe Dlamini. However, Mbabane Swallows’ lanky striker Sandile Hlatjwako has been dropped alongside Green Mamba central defender Banele Dlamini due to injuries.

Another Swallows player, defender Sifiso Mabila has also been dropped after failing to recover on time from his muscle pull injury and the three players have been ruled out of Sunday’s international preparatory game against Tanzania. Hlatjwako was injured during his team’s game against the Correctional Services’ ensemble, Green Mamba, which was played last Friday at Somhlolo National Stadium. He was kicked in the chest. Dlamini on the other hand pulled his muscle in the same game. Mbabane Swallows’ young defender Xolani ‘Tyson’ Magagula has also been dropped due to school commitments.

The squad’s head coach, Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga confirmed the latest development yesterday, noting that as the technical bench, they always had their eye on the Highlanders’ captain.

“Unfortunately, Chocco is a student at SCOT and in most instances he would fail to honour call ups because of his academic commitments. Otherwise, we have always considered him. This time he was able to make it because he has just finished writing his exams and will basically be free to be with the squad this week.

“He has already missed three training sessions though because he joined us today (yesterday). We are, however, optimistic that he will easily fit because he is in top form nowadays. We just have to push him to make up for lost time, as we were busy with physical training in the past days,” said Bulunga.