SIHLANGU WILL SURPRISE MANY, SAYS ANTHONY

MBABANE – Sihlangu’s head coach Anthony Mdluli has warned that his hardworking players might surprise a lot of people.

Interviewed after the team returned home from Kenya, where they recorded an unexpected 1-0 win over Harambee Stars, Mdluli said he had full confidence in his lads to spring surprises during the COSAFA Cup and beyond. He said he would not promise a lot, lest he put his players under pressure, but from what he had seen, his team was hungrier than most people thought. “We decided to select a strong team for the COSAFA Cup because we believe this could be our time. We have done very well so far, and if we continue this way, I have no doubt that we are headed for great things,” he said. The coach has not lost in three outings with Sihlangu, having recorded a 0-0 draw with the Seychelles, 1-0 win over Namibia, and the recent 1-0 triumph over Kenya away. The COSAFA Cup will be the first official assignment for the coach.

Notably, although he has coached only Manzini Wanderers in the MTN Premier League, he remains one of the highly-educated local coaches to ever lead Sihlangu. Mdluli holds an International Diploma in Coaching from Hungary, over and above CAF’s Licence A, B, and C. He has also attended three FIFA advanced courses. The coach emphasised that he knew almost everything about local football. “I understand almost everything about the local game. I was not appointed but applied for the national team job, was interviewed and shortlisted. This is why the FA elevated me as Sihlangu coach, even though it is on acting basis for now. I meet all, if not most, of the requirements for the post,” he said.
National Football Association of Swaziland’s (NFAS) Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said the NFAS Executive Committee did not make a mistake when they hired the coach to lead Sihlangu. He said they were fully aware of his capabilities.

“Sihlangu has done very well so far under Mdluli’s leadership. We are aware that we have played only friendly matches so far, but no one can question the credibility of the results we have achieved. The coach is fully aware of his mandate, and we are looking forward to a successful campaign in the COSAFA Cup,” said Radebe. Sihlangu has a date with Lesotho in the COSAFA Cup quarterfinals on Saturday at 5:15pm. They will leave for Polokwane, South Africa before the end of the week.

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