MOMENT OF RENEWAL

MBABANE – The nation of Eswatini once again comes  to a moment of hope and prayer as the senior nation soccer team, Sihlangu Semnikati will at 6pm today, walk into a completely foreign soccer pitch surrounded by home fans.

This will be in West Africa against Guinea-Bissau, neighbours to Sihlangu’s next rivals at home next Sunday, Senegal who boast in form Liverpool FC star Sadio Mane. They will go there next year for the second leg of group I of the AFCON Cup 2021 Qualifiers.

This evening sees the group playing its games at just about the same time; Senegal is at home to Congo who will next Sunday be home to Guinea-Bissau. On paper, it looks like head coach, Kostadin Papic is leading his all-domestic players-based squad into a pot of boiling water. Guinea-Bissau boast 20 overseas-based internationals. Guinea-Bissaum under their local coach and former squad defender Baciro Cande, has been to two AFCON Finals, including the recent 2019 edition in Egypt.

Fixtures

However, Sihlangu know no Europe-based stars or any big name country especially in away fixtures – we have seen it against countries like Angola, Malawi and Zambia lately. Also, Sihlangu has been more active than Guinea-Bissau who had only last played Ghana in the group stage of the AFCON Cup 2019 Finals before playing Sao Tome in the World Cup 2022 Qualifiers back in September.

This gives Sihlangu an edge in terms of unity and understanding each other as a team. The 2-2 away draw to Zambia in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020 decisive qualifier for the Cameroon-bound finals next January should come as a morale booster for the boys as they fight for the protection of the country’s flag. It will not be easy in this game and in the others to follow as these are giant footballing countries in the continent and for Senegal, it goes beyond. Despite the fact that Sihlangu travelled without any of its South Africa-based internationals, the team is still capable as is.

They have proven in the CHAN Qualifiers that they can play football but have been unfortunate not to win a match in open play. In fact, Papic has said it was now time to start winning for the squad. Can it be in this match? Probably! The likes of attacking midfielders Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze and Fanelo Tsabedze as well as winger Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba have the potential to unlock Guinea-Bissau.

Saviola is currently in good scoring form having netted 11 times already for his team in the league after 10 games. There is also the experienced Phinda ‘Phindrix’ Dlamini, who plays the holding role upfront and is capable in set piece situations as well. If unwatched, these players can upset Guinea-Bissau but they also need the defence to be as water tight, the midfield on top of its game.

Eswatini are the obvious underdogs in this group even given the latest FIFA World Rankings as will be demonstrated above. However, it’s always the equal number of the players in the field of play and football has the knack to shock and surprise. Sihlangu can also be on the winning side of things after 90 minutes. Take them on Sihlangu Semnikati!

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: