LOBAMBA – Sihlangu Head Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane has laid out his game plan for the team’s final 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Cape Verde, emphasizing a tactical shift to speed and counter-attacking football. The coach’s comments come on the heels of the team’s frustrating 2-2 draw with Angola and ahead of a difficult away trip to the Group D leaders.
Ntibane was clear that facing the group’s strongest team, who recently defeated Cameroon, demands a strategic change. “To play on the counter is important, especially if you’re playing with a strong team and Cape Verde is number one,” he stated.
“We have to close the space in the middle and be able to pull the fast breaks and counter-attacks,” the coach revealed. This approach focuses on defensive solidity and then using quick movement to hurt the opponent.
A key concern for the coach is the fitness of star striker Justice Figuareido, who scored both goals in the Angola match. Ntibane noted the need to “see how Justice Figareido is and work more on the speed.”
He confirmed that the plan is to “break it from the middle and go forward because tactically we have to change and see who is a speedy player we can put if Figareido is now injured.” This suggests that even if Figuareido is sidelined, the core strategy of speed and quick transitions will remain.
Meanwhile, the man who provided Sihlangu’s offensive spark, Justice Figuareido, promised that the team will not hold back against their highly-ranked opponents.
When asked what he promised the country for the Cape Verde fixture, the forward’s commitment was absolute. “We will go to Cape Verde and put our utmost effort,” Figuareido said. “This is a national team, the country is looking at us, so be it a friendly or what, we go all out.”
Sihlangu will travel to face Cape Verde on Monday in their final match of a campaign that, despite showing glimpses of promise like Figuareido’s brace, has left them rooted to the bottom of Group D.L
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