INTERNATIONALS HEADACHE FOR PAPIC

MBABANE – The national team, Sihlangu coach Kostadin Papic is faced with a headache when it comes to the international players ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

A majority of the international players have been not in action for a while now while Sihlangu travels to Guinea-Bissau on November 11 for the opening match before facing Senegal’s ‘Lions of Teranga’, who parade England’s Liverpool sensational forward Sadio Mane. Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze has been missing in action for his side, Polokwane City, who play in the ABSA Premiership Legaue. Since the Djibouti match, Sikhondze has been not part of the first team that is fifth in the league. The Mbombela United quartet of Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, Justice Figuareido, Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza and Felix Badenhorst have not played much games due to injuries while the only consistent player was striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa.

Camp

Papic is expected to announce his team for the game against Guinea-Bissau after week 11 of the MTN Premier Legaue to be played over the weekend. They are expected to start camp on Sunday after the games with the internationals arriving late if he is to call them up. The Serbian mentor has not been in dire need of the international players in the past games as he was playing in the CHAN qualifiers where only local based players are eligible to play. The last time the international players were part of the team was when the squad shockingly lost to Djibouti in September.

A source close to the matter confirmed that Papic was still undecided over the international players due to their lack of game time. “He is still scrutinising the players ahead of his selection but a majority of the players have been out of action for a long time,” said the source. Another player who is expected to receive a call-up is Mozambique-based Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze who plays for Desportivo. A comment could not be obtained from the coach as his phone rang unanswered yesterday afternoon.

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