Football

MANZINI – Nsingizini Hotspurs hint they may request national team players ahead of their Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League clash with Simba SC.

The defending MTN Premier League champions took their first league points of the season with a 1-0 win over Mbabane Highlanders at Mavuso Sports Centre on Saturday, thanks to a second-half strike from Ugandan forward Joel Madondo.

Speaking after the game, Head Coach Mandla Qhogi revealed the club’s intention to seek the release of six key players from the national team to ensure adequate preparation for their upcoming clash against Simba SC.

“We may request that our players with the national team be released so they can train and prepare properly with us for the CAF match,” Qhogi said.

He added that the team had to adapt for the Highlanders game due to the absence of some national team players. “Our preparations were disrupted because some players were away, so we gave opportunities to others and tested new combinations. We need to compete with the squad we have, despite the absences.”

The six Nsingizini players currently with Sihlangu include goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala and defender Nkosingiphile Shongwe as well as the enterprising quartet of  Khwakhe Thwala, Yeki Khumalo, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini and Thubelihle Mavuso.

The national team faces Angola at Somhlolo National Stadium on Wednesday in an International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup Qualifier at Somhlolo National Stadium, before travelling to Cape Verde on October 13. Nsingizini hope to have these players available ahead of their first-leg clash with Simba SC on October 18.

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Nsingizini Hotspurs hint they may request national team players ahead of their Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League clash with Simba SC. (Pics: Courtesy)