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‘BOMBER’ CALLS FOR PROFESSIONAL KEEPERS

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LOBAMBA – The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) president Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa strongly feels Sihlangu must have professional goalkeepers in order to improve.

The president said all those who were present at Mavuso Sports Centre on Sunday when Sihlangu played against Tunisia, noted that the visiting side’s shot-stopper was more professional.
“You noted that Tunisia had a very good goalkeeper and the score could have been 2 – 2 if the reverse can be true. We also had a good goalkeeper but he made mistakes and conceded two goals.” Mthethwa said. The president made these comments yesterday at Lobamba Technical Centre when officially opening the FIFA Goalkeeper Couching Course. “As coaches, we must try to improve the goalkeeping of Eswatini. I am delighted to see all those who have attended since it shows that they are determined to learn to improve goalkeeping.” he said.

He also thanked FIFA for facilitating the course that was instructed by Argentinian mentor Alejandro Heredia. Mthethwa added that despite million viewers’ opinions, the coach had to make the critical decision on team selection of the goalkeeper and other players, hence the course was essential. He said the instructor advised them to have good coaches, which is why the Argentinian was on his forth visit to tutor the locals. “We have seen the production of good goalkeepers over the years such as Njabuliso Simelane, among others. As an association, we have the responsibility to ensure we have trained coaches and administrators such as referees,” he said. He also said this was imperative as they would complement each other, and consequently, football would develop. Heredia shared the same sentiments as he highlighted that goalkeeping was crucial for winning or losing any match.

He said the federation deemed it necessary to implement the five-day course to teach about goalkeeping and change the game. Heredia’s training programme include roles of the goalkeeper and their coach, angle play, goalkeeper distance, handling, dives, shot stopping, distribution, aerial balls, crosses and reflexes saves among others.

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