DAY OF RECKONING FOR SIHLANGU

Sihlangu vs Egypt at Mavuso Sports Centre (3pm)   As Sihlangu welcome the ‘Pharaohs’ of Egypt in a decisive 2019 AFCON qualifier, the message from the nation is loud and clear – play out of your skin.

The race to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals to be staged in Cameroon is heating up and there is no room for errors. With three games to spare, Sihlangu are eight points shy of the top spot. However, they are still clinging on their calculators, as they are only five points adrift of the qualification spot. Slots for next year’s AFCON have been increased from 16 to 24. As a result, two teams from each qualifying group will make the cut. After losing by 1-4 in the reverse fixture last Friday in Cairo, Sihlangu will have their work cut out for them when they welcome Javier Aguirre’s troops at Mavuso Sports Centre.

Following long hours on the plane, and only about a day’s rest, Sihlangu gaffer Anthony Mdluli is expected to make changes in the team and give a chance to the likes of Richard McCreesh and Phiwa Dlamini, who were unused substitutes in the reverse fixture. Giving a chance to Nhlanhla Gwebu between the sticks would not be a bad idea, as Sandanezwe Mathabela’s confidence levels might be still low after conceding a stupendous goal straight from the corner spot by the celebrated Mohamed Salah.

Injury

The Egypt talisman (Salah) is out of the game following a reported injury three days ago, but the visitors still have enough ammunition from their arsenal to cause damage again. The trio of  Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny, Ahmed Elmohamady from Aston Villa and Turkey-based Ibrahim ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan will be back to haunt Mdluli’s men. While the width of the Mavuso Sports Centre ground could prove to be a challenge to the visitors, who are used to a wider pitch; Sihlangu could still find it difficult to foil the Egyptians’ brisk attack. Aguirre is a fan of an attack-minded and high pressing game and he is out to maintain his 100 per cent record at the expense of the Eswatini national side.

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