‘SAWA’, 3 OTHERS BLOW FOR SIHLANGU

LOBAMBA – The national team, Sihlangu Semnikati, play its AFCON Qualifiers match against Niger without Mbabane Highlanders industrious winger Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze, Mbabane Swallows’ striker Sandile Hlatshwako and three others.

‘Sawa’ and the trio of Wandile Maseko, Siboniso Mamba and Junior Magagula will miss the continental encounter due to injuries.
Sihlangu interim coach Anthony Mdluli announced the players’ absence yesterday at Somhlolo National Stadium during the team’s training session.
According to Mdluli, Hlatshwako requested to be excused for this national duty and expressed personal commitments.

“Our preparations were disturbed by these injuries. Nonetheless, we have 24 players left in camp and we think they will play with determination for good results,” said Mdluli.
‘Sawa’ has been on-form of late and scored a brilliant goal when the team suffered a 1-4 defeat in Egypt.

Injury

Hlatshwako, on the other hand, had spent a number of games on the sidelines, as he has been nursing an injury and only made a short appearance during Swallows’ last MTN League match against Matsapha Utd.

The coach highlighted that Niger will give them a tough game judging from the visitors’ last performance at this tournament against Tunisia.
“Niger plays power-play and is a physical team with tall players,” he said.

Mdluli said the first leg was tough away, where the two nations played to a goalless draw but they needed a win on Sunday at Mavuso Sports Centre.
“We encourage the nation to come and supporters us. We have just one point and already failed to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but it does not mean this game is not important for the country,” he said.

He said they will approach the game with a positive attitude and get good results if possible.
“We played to a goalless draw away during the first leg, we are now under pressure to get results,” he said.
The coach said during preparations, they alternated as they used both Somhlolo and Mavuso.

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