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MAKE OR BREAK FOR SIHLANGU

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MBABANE – If they are to stand a chance of qualifying for the 2021 finals in Cameroon next year, Sihlangu must break the Mavuso Sports Centre jinx this afternoon.

The nation’s pride last won a match at this venue on April 19, 2018 during an international friendly match against Namibia’s Desert Warriors.

The local side handed the nation the perfect gift as the country held a double 50/50 celebration for His Majesty the King’s Birthday and commemoration of Independence Day at a jam packed Mavuso Sports Centre.

Today, Dominic Kunene’s troops still have a chance to make it to the finals of the tournament but they must win the game against the tough Congo Brazzaville.

They may have suffered a 0-2 setback last Thursday away at Stade Alphosnsa Massemba but playing at home today, despite the fact that there will be no fans due to COVID-19 regulations, must mean something for the local side.

losing

Eswatini has lost all three first games of Group I, first losing 0-3 to Guinea Bissau away, then 1-4 to Senegal in November last year before the 0-2 loss to Congo Brazzaville on Thursday.

Head Coach Kunene will need to use all the ammunition in his arsenal with the return of Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze from an injury and Young Buffaloes’ Fanele ‘Order’ Mamba, who was serving a suspension following a red card against Senegal.

Sihlangu will also be without the services of talisman Siboniso Ngwenya after the Buffaloes player was given marching orders in the first leg against Congo for a career threatning tackle against Mazikou.

It is indeed an uphill task for the local side as the players are still regaining fitness following about seven months of inactivity due to COVID-19.

A win for Sihlangu is vital for confidence boost, especially for an improved performance in this tournament. Kunene, along with assistant Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini, are also inspired ahead of this match as they look forward to the first win since they were appointed into the technical team in December.

assignment

The first leg away in Congo Brazzaville was the first official assignment for Kunene and his technical team and they will surely want positive results in the second leg.

Home advantage is expected to give the locals a boost as they are used to Mavuso Sports Centre and the climatic conditions of the southern part of the continent.

Congo Brazzaville boast 13 international players who ply their trade in Europe and this means Sihlangu must go all out to win over the Congolese side.

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