SIHLANGU HOLD NIGER 0-0 IN AFCON OPENER

Niger....................................... (0)0
Sihlangu................................. (0)0

MBABANE – West African minnows Niger have frustrated Sihlangu in their journey to the Total 2019 AFCON finals following a goal-less draw in the Group J opener.

Following a promising display in their previous qualifying campaign, finishing just behind group winners Zimbabwe, Sihlangu continued with their pursuit for a historic qualification to the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals to be played in Cameroon when they visited Niger’s ‘Menas’ under the scorching heat in the city of Niamey.

The result at Stade Général S K just outside Niger’s capital means the national outfit will have to get 10 of their targeted 11 points in the last five matches. It was a chance to lead early as the other teams in the group in 2004 winners, Tunisia, and seven-time champions, Egypt will play today.
The 12 group winners will qualify for the continental football showpiece alongside the best three runners-up.

The qualifiers will take a nine-month break. The next match for Sihlangu is tentatively set for March 27, 2018 against Tunisia at Somhlolo National Stadium. The qualifying campaign will end against Tunisia in November next year.
Sihlangu gaffer Pieter De Jongh had unleashed the best from his arsenal, starting with the tried and tested Siboniso ‘Rocco’ Malambe,   Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, Mxolisi ‘General’ Lukhele, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze and Swazi international Felix Badenhorst, among others.  He had only thrown little known Tambuti centre-back Siboniso Ndzabandzaba into the deep end.

The national side had matched their opposition, who are 40 places below them on the FIFA charts. However, Niger have participated in the AFCON finals twice; in 2012 and 2013.
 In both halves during the match, which was broadcast live on the country’s national radio station, SBIS 1, Sihlangu had kept the opposition on their toes.  Badenhorst had his strike ruled out for offside inside 10 minutes.

De Jongh, who led his troops for the first time in an official fixture, would be relieved to avoid defeat as he stressed on the need to get at least a point in Niger.
However, he is likely to be under pressure as he is expected to deliver after taking a swipe at his predecessor, Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga.

His utterances left the country’s coaches hot under the collar.
Focus will now shift to the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) tournament and Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Zambia next month.

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