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20 EUROPE-BASED STARS

12/11/2019 02:44:00 BY ASHMOND NZIMA

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MBABANE – A tricky test awaits Sihlangu in tomorrow’s opener in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Kostadin Papic’s men are finally in Guinea-Bissau following a three-day torturous trip which began on Friday.

They face the West Africans tomorrow at 4pm (6pm local time). Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Candé announced a 22-member squad for tomorrow’s match-up. Only two of the players are based in Africa, while the rest ply their trade in Europe, especially in Portugal.

The players who play in Africa are goalkeeper Jonas Mendes, who is attached to South Africa’s Absa Premiership side Black Leopards as well as Djassi Picket who belongs to Ismailia in Egypt.

Guinea-Bissau French Newspaper, The Democrat, yesterday reported that the coach reunited with trusted right-back Tomas Dabó, who is based in Slovakia.
Those in Europe also include Judilson Gomes Pele, who plays for English Championship side Reading and Mama Baldé, who is attached to FC Dijon in France.
“The 22 players are for both games against Eswatini in Bissau on the 13th of this month and the 17 November game in Brazzaville with the national team,” reads the report in part.

Meanwhile, Papic left with 20 local-based players. At least eight of the squad members are from police outfit Royal Leopard. The Serbia-born gaffer did not want to be dragged for comment on the Guinea-Bissau squad, but expressed hope that his troops would be ready for the challenge. He was sought for comment shortly on arrival yesterday after about three days changing flights.

They arrived at 7am yesterday.
“The players are resting today (yesterday) after three nights without sleeping.
“I don’t know what to expect from the players, but we will see on Wednesday,” he said.

Sihlangu are also in the same qualifying group as Senegal and Congo Brazzaville. After the Guinea-Bissau test, Eswatini national football outfit will return home for Sunday’s eagerly-awaited clash against Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal at Mavuso Sports Centre on Sunday, starting at 3pm. The top two, after the qualifying phase in November 2020, will get tickets to the AFCON finals to be staged in Cameroon.