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‘TAKE SIHLANGU TO PROMISED LAND’

18/10/2019 00:59:00 BY ASHMOND NZIMA

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LOBAMBA – “Enter your names into the history books and take Sihlangu to the Promised Land.”

That is a message from Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga and it is directed to the Zambia-bound senior national football outfit players ahead of their toughest assignment to date. Kostadin Papic’s men play Zambia in an African Nations Championship (CHAN) final round second leg qualifier in Lusaka tomorrow. The minister was speaking during the side’s farewell function at the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre in Lobamba yesterday.

“I’m confident in your abilities to make history in Zambia. I watched the first leg at Mavuso Sports Centre and I’m a witness of the fact that the defeat was not a true reflection of the match. The time has come for Eswatini to take its place among football’s top table and that time is now. This, of course, is a dream that has long been carried by His Majesty King Mswati III. You shouldn’t take it lightly therefore that you have, in your hands, an opportunity to make His Majesty’s dream come true,” the minister told the players.

In his address, Bulunga further urged the team to take inspiration from the brave efforts of the Under-17s who made it to the semi-finals of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Youth Championships on Wednesday. The minister lauded the youngsters for surviving a strong group consisting of regional powerhouses; Zambia, South Africa and Malawi.

“Their triumph in the group stages should inspire you as their seniors that indeed, our time as Eswatini is now. I should take this moment to wish our U-17s all the very best against Mozambique in the semi-finals tomorrow (today),” said the minister.
Also at the Technical Centre to bid farewell to the side was EFA President Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa, who challenged the players to put their best foot forward.
The team left by road early yesterday to connect a 7pm flight in Johannesburg, South Africa. They were expected at their final destination around 9pm yesterday. They are expected back home on Sunday night.