3 INTERNATIONALS IN COSAFA SQUAD

MBABANE – Eswatini-based players are set to dominate the squad to do duty for the country in next week’s COSAFA Cup in Durban, South Africa.

Following a fruitful outing in the first round of the African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier against Malawi, focus shifts to the regional tournament for Kostadin Papic’s men. Reports suggest a majority of the players who will be selected are those who were in the CHAN squad, with few additions. The additions, it was reliably gathered, will be mainly internationals, who are ineligible to feature in the CHAN tournament.

With Eswatini boasting up to six internationals, impeccable sources from Sihlangu camp have identified the trio that will make the cut. The Eswatini internationals who will reportedly be in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup include South Africa National First Division side Mbombela United marksman and the country’s all-time top goalscorer in the regional soccer showpiece, Felix Badenhorst, who has six goals. Others are dribbling wizard Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze of South Africa’s Premiership side Polokwane City as well as striker Justice Figareido of Maritzburg United.

In essence, players likely to miss out are full-back Sanele Mkhweli of the neighbouring country’s football second-tier outfit TS Sporting, and Mbombela United’s duo of midfielder Banele Ndzabandzaba and shot-stopper Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza. The latter has struggled to break into his team’s starting line-up in this 2018/19 campaign.

Sought for comment, coach Papic insisted on releasing the squad on Friday, but confirmed that only three players would make the cut. He had been asked if he would include all the six internationals like it was the case when he announced his first squad in March this year.

Camp

After the announcement of the team on Friday, they will go to camp two days later at the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre in Lobamba. According to EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe, they are expected to leave for South Africa next Wednesday (May 22). 
“We are waiting for the coach to give us the list before we can release it,” said Radebe.

Meanwhile, in the COSAFA Cup, Sihlangu were handed a relatively tough draw, as they are in Group A alongside Africa Cup of Nations-bound Angola, who are their opponents in the opener next Saturday.

The unpredictable duo of Mauritius and Comoros completes the list of the teams in the group. Only the group winner will advance to the quarter-finals to face holders and regional heavyweights Zimbabwe. Sihlangu will be in chase of their first win in the annual tournament since 2016. Their last victory was back in Namibia three years ago when they beat guest nation DR Congo by 1-0 in a bronze medal match.

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