RUDE WELCOME FOR PAPIC

MBABANE – New coach, same old story! New Sihlangu coach Kostadin Papic got a rude welcome in his first official match following a 4-0 thrashing away in Tunisia last night.

The North African giants, who are ranked second in the continent, scored two unanswered goals in each half to put nation’s pride to the sword in their last 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 qualifiers. Sihlangu were not guaranteed qualification before the fixture, but were hoping for a reprieve following a dreadful qualifying campaign.

The Tunisians completed a double to celebrate an aggregate score of 7-0 following a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture on June 5 last year. Anthony Mdluli was in charge then when the national side were made to eat humble pie at home. Despite that this was a dead rubber game, there was pride at stake to fight for as the Felix Badenhorst-captained side had gone down five games without a win. They had only managed to secure a point against Niger 0-0 when the then sacked Pieter de Jongh was head coach.

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They got more than they bargained for, with pictures from the game suggesting that midfielder Njabulo ‘D4D’ ended the game between the sticks. Goalkeeper Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza and substitute Phephisa Msibi both got injured.

The Tunisian side, who also paraded a new coach, Alain Giresse, opened the scorers chart in 21st minute through Syam Ben Youssef and doubled the advantage 12 minutes later via the boot of Anice Badri.

Papic, who joined the country’s pride on January 5 this year, could not save the sinking ship as he watched his side suffering the fifth defeat. The squad, which was without former captain Tony Tsabedze, went to a breather two goals down.

On resumption of play, the home side continued where they left off. They made it 3-0 through Naimi Sliti in 53rd minute. A comeback for Sihlangu seemed unlikely as the away side netted a fourth goal in the 61st . It was Yassine Meriah who hit the last nail in the coffin to ensure the visitors would end the qualifying campaign at the basement of the charts.
(Reactions and more reports in next edition)

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