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FELIX IS NEW SIHLANGU SKIPPER

20/03/2019 00:45:00 BY NTOKOZO MAGONGO

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MBABANE – His experience and hard work has earned Mbombela United Captain Felix Badenhorst the captain armband in the national team, Sihlangu.

Badenhorst’s first assignment as captain under new coach Kostadin Papic will be to lead the team to their last Africa’s Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Tunisia. He took over the armband from former Mbabane Swallows teammate, Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze. He led the team as it left the country yesterday for Tunisia for the match to be played on Friday, kick-off 7:15pm in Tunisia (8:15pm local time).

The former Mbabane Swallows and Manzini Wanderers player said he was ready for the tough assignment handed to him. Mbabane Swallows captain Tony Tsabedze was left out of the squad together with another veteran teammate Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko. “It’s a big honour to be named the captain of the team, especially as I’m taking from Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze, who I believe is the best player in the country. He has been wonderful to the national team and he did a wonderful job,” he said.

experience Badenhorst boa

sts of experience as he was part of the Mbabane Swallows team that invaded Africa in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup where they reached the group stages. “I learnt a lot from Tsabedze, both at club level and the national team. I believe that with the spirit in the team, together we will make it,” he said.

Badenhorst was also full of praise for coach Papic. “He is a father figure to every player in the team. We understand him very well. He wants us to play at our best, enjoy and fight for results. The team is currently in a building process and we are hopeful that soon we will be bringing positive results,” he added.

The former South Africa’s National First Division Legaue side Jomo Cosmos player said it won’t be an easy game against Tunisia but they are not going there to worship them. He said they would fight and make sure that they get positive results.

congratulated

Badenhorst was also congratulated by the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga for the new role at Sihlangu.
“I’m happy for Badenhorst, who has since taken a new role with the national team. I’m confident that he will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the young players get in well within the team. The team is made up of experienced and young players which are good for the future,” he said.

The team left the country yesterday afternoon for Johannesburg, South Africa where they were to connect a flight to Tunisia via Dubai. They are expected to arrive in Tunisia this afternoon and back home on Sunday.

The team bid farewell at the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre in Lobamba. Present during the farewell function included Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga, Principal Secretary Prince Mlayeto, EFA President Adam Bomber Mthethwa and EFA Vice President who is the leader of delegation Comfort Shongwe among others.