Football

Eswatini vs Angola at Somhlolo National Stadium (3pm)

MBABANE – Sihlangu will look to salvage a crumb of dignity when they welcome Angola to the Somhlolo National Stadium this afternoon.

The two regional counterparts  meet in game nine out of 10 in Group D of the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup Qualifiers.

The hosts, already resigned to elimination, stand in the way of an Angolan side aiming to keep the faintest flicker of a play-off place under fresh management.

It has been a World Cup qualifying campaign that Eswatini will be desperate to forget. Sihlangu are rooted to the foot of Group D, managing a paltry two points from their eight fixtures.

Still searching for an elusive victory, they have registered two draws and suffered six defeats.

Sihlangu have now gone a dismal 18 matches in all competitions without tasting victory, a run dating back to March 2024 when they overcame Somalia in the preliminary round of AFCON qualification.

Goalscoring has become a chronic issue, with the team drawing blanks in their last two outings while conceding five at the other end.

The recent departure of Head Coach Zdravko Logarusic by mutual consent has left Assistant Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane in temporary charge for the final two fixtures. With nothing but pride and an improved rank on the line, expectations are understandably low heading into today’s encounter. Furthermore, history offers scant hope, as Eswatini have lost five of their last six meetings with their opponents.

In contrast, Angola arrive fourth in the group with 10 points from eight games, built upon two wins, four draws and two defeats.

Full article available in our publication.

Sihlangu Interim Head Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane. (Pic: Melusi Mkhabela)