SANDILE SHUNS SIHLANGU

(At Mavuso Sports Centre)

MANZINI – Mbabane Swallows striker Sandile Hlatshwako could be in hot soup after failing to honour a call up by the national team, Sihlangu.

Hlatshwako, who has scored five goals for his team Mbabane Swallows in the MTN Premier League, has not reported to the Sihlangu camp in three days while the team will leave the country tomorrow for Lusaka, Zambia.

There were 24 players who reported for camp by yesterday afternoon and they included Mbabane Swallows defenders Siboniso Ndzabandzaba and Ndumiso Ndaba, who received a late call-up. Sihlangu Coach Kostadin Papic confirmed the absence of Hlatshwako in the squad and said it was a shame and the player is showing no respect for the country.

A source close to the matter said this was the second call-up for Hlatshwako, as he was supposed to be part of the team before the first leg match against Zambia in the Africa Nations Championships at Mavuso Sports Centre. Sihlangu will play on Saturday at the Heroes National Stadium, Lusaka, kick-off is at 3pm.

“We were expecting all the players to show up; others did, others came late and others are nowhere to be seen. We will see what kind of action will be taken but that is upon the association. I will work with the present squad and see what we can do together,” Papic said.

struggling

Sihlangu has been struggling up front. Hlatshwako, who scored four goals in the 4-1 win over Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows a fortnight ago, said he was ready for the call-up as he was eager to play for the team. He said this after he scored the four goals in one match.

Such an act, according to the EFA Constitution, is punishable and could see the player suspended for no less than three months. If suspended, he will not play for the national side and his club for that given period.

EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe confirmed the absence of the player at camp. “We are going to follow a procedure after the reports from the technical team. We were expecting him to report to camp and we are going to involve his club when presiding over the matter. For now there is nothing more we can say except that he is not part of the team,” he said.

Mbabane Swallows could not be reached for comment last night as Communications and Marketing Manager Mancoba Mabuza’s phone was switched off while General Manager Sandile Zwane was reportedly away from the club as he was mourning the demise of his mother.
Hlatshwako’s phone rang unanswered yesterday afternoon.

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