‘WE NEED TO SHAKE OFF MINNOWS TAGS’

MBABANE – Sihlangu captain Banele ‘Makonese’ Dlamini is confident the national side will win in Malawi this afternoon.

In a press briefing at Technical Centre in Lobamba on Thursday ahead of the African Nations Championships (CHAN) second leg qualifier to be played away in Blantyre, the sturdy centre-back stressed on the need to shine to earn respect.

“As a small country, we need to win this game, as we get undermined.
“It’s high time we shake off the minnows tag,” he said.

After firing blanks in the first leg at home on April 20, ‘Makonese’ said they would come out guns blazing today.
“We know they will come hard on us, but we’ll continue to attack. The spirit in camp is high,” he said.

Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Sandile Gamedze also echoed the skipper’s words, saying they did their homework.
“A win can change a lot of things because the players can be in the spotlight and win contracts with big teams outside the country.
“Anything is possible once we work on our finishing,” he said.

The team arrived safely early yesterday in Malawi. Malawi striker Chiukepo Msowoya, on the other hand, was quoted on that country’s football association’s social media platforms, especially Twitter, saying they were ready for the match and they worked hard to end their scoring problem.

 “If we are to win and progress we have to score goals. That has been our problem recently but we have worked on that,” he was quoted saying.

Yesterday, coach Meke Mwase reportedly recalled Nyasa Big Bullets midfielder Chimango Kayira as back-up following injuries to Alfred Manyozo Jnr and Chikoti Chirwa. He told a media conference that defensive midfielder Chikoti Chirwa would undergo a late fitness to determine his availability in today’s match after limping out of Thursday’s training with a knee problem.

The game will be played at 3pm. A draw by a goal or more will be enough for Kostadin Papic’s men to reach the next round, where they will face Angola.

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