NEW YEAR, IMPROVED RANK FOR SIHLANGU

MBABANE – Inactive Sihlangu have moved a place up on the FIFA charts without kicking a ball in 182 days.

First rankings for the New Year released by the world soccer governing body yesterday, saw the national outfit occupying the 132nd spot out of 206 with 228 points. It was a welcome change following a notable decline from position 88 to 134 in the past year.

As Sihlangu’s last game played a match on July 22 in the past year and lost 0-3 to Zambia in an away African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier; the year 2018 would provide an opportunity to make amends.

The next official games could be the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) tournament between June and July, but the main attraction would be the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers later this year. Sihlangu will first welcome Tunisia in September before match ups with Egypt and Niger.

National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) Marketing and Communications Officer, Muzi Radebe welcomed the improved rankings, saying it was a sign of positivity. He assured that the inactivity would be a thing of the past, as there were lined up friendly matches during the FIFA weeks. The first FIFA week is in March.

“The coach (Pieter de Jongh) drafted his plan for the year.
“The rankings are a positive sign in the bid to leave a mark in the New Year,” he said.
Meanwhile, leading the global charts are still reigning world champions Germany. Tunisia, who are 23rd in the world, are Africa’s best-ranked side.

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