Mbabane- The Under-23s Men’s National Team is ready for their opening match against Botswana.
The Total Energies AFCON Qualifier match will be played on Friday, September 23, 2022 at the country’s soccer mecca, Somhlolo National Stadium. Kick-off time for this exciting fixture is at 1500hrs (3pm) and entrance is free.
When speaking to the media on Wednesday afternoon, head coach of the national team Sifiso Ntibane stated that players are ready for the match.
“Playing at home has that psychological motivation that we cannot lose, and the players are ready for this match”, Ntibane said.
Even though it is still off season in the country, the head coach highlighted that as a technical team they executed numerous practices matches to boost the players ’match fitness.
Ntibane also emphasised on the importance of having a clean sheet and scoring goals with the second leg still to be played away in Botswana. “It is important for us to get a clean sheet and score goals to have and advantage when we go for the second leg in Botswana,” Ntibane said.
The national team will be having the services of two players who have full caps in their disposal whom the head coach believes are a boost to the team.
“Having Kwakhe and Tiger in the national team is a boost for the national team as their experience will be handy”, Ntibane said. Kwakhe Thwala who is the captain of the national team echoed the coach’s words as he promised good results in as far as this match is concerned.
“We promise good results and on a personal capacity, it is an extra motivation for me to be the captain of the national team”, Thwala said. The vice-captain of the national team, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini stated that as players, they are ready and looking forward to the match. “We are ready for this match as we are looking forward to it”, Dlamini said.
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