NO NEW CALL-UPS FOR STRIKERS AT SIHLANGU

MBABANE – Serbian coach Kostadin Papic has kept his faith in the team that played a goalless draw in the African Nations Championships (CHAN) 2020 Qualifiers first leg against Malawi.

This was at Mavuso Sports Centre on April 20, just last month when Sihlangu showed a lot of potential in terms of ball possession and creating scoring opportunities. The return leg is next Saturday away in Blantyre, Malawi and Sihlangu will be back in camp tomorrow afternoon ahead of the trip.

“The squad’s technical bench has released the list of players they expect in camp and there isn’t much of a change from the initial team. They will be going to camp on Sunday (tomorrow) while we expect them to depart for Malawi probably on Thursday,” Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said.

Worth noting is that Papic has not heeded to the nation’s calls to add some firepower upfront as last time he used midfielders and it showed with Mbabane Swallows’ Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa the only striker on the pitch.

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Fans had recommended that long serving captain Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze be recalled to lead the youngsters probably along with strikers like his teammate Sandile Hlatshwako, Royal Leopard’s Barry Steenkamp, Young Buffaloes’ Phiwa Dlamini and Green Mamba’s Musa Dlamini. The latter currently leads the race for the MTN Premier League top scorer with 15 goals.

However, the only new addition to the squad is Royal Leopard midfielder Junior Magagula, who was signed by the police outfit from Moneni Pirates this season. Out of the squad are injured Manzini Sundowns stars Muhle Shiba and Phumlani Dlamini.

Papic has called up 27 players for this camp with Magagula the only new arrival. Meanwhile, Sihlangu needs to score in Malawi and not lose the match as only a draw or straight win takes the nation’s pride to the second round.
Cameroon will play host to the CHAN 2020 finals which is a tournament for domestic players only, between January and February.

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