Mbabane: New Sihlangu coach Dominic Kunene has gone for ‘soldiers’ he knows and trust after naming 10 Young Buffaloes players in Sihlangu’s 28-men squad.
The senior national team went for camp on Thursday October 15, in readiness for next month’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations 2021 qualifier matches against Congo Brazzaville.
The former Buffaloes strategist will be leading Sihlangu in his first match following his appointment back in February. His debut for the ‘nation’s pride’ has been delayed by the global outbreak of the novel Coronavirus.
The provisional squad of 28 players went to full time camp as Sihlangu work on salvaging Group I following defeats to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau in the opening two matches.
Interestingly, Kunene did not call any international player in his squad despite recent football action for the likes of Felix Badenhorst, Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, Justice Figareido and Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze. Fellow international Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa remain banned from football following his registration madness which saw Mbombela United relegated from the GlafAfrican Championships.
Badenhorst and Figareido recently signed for Premier Soccer League rookies TS Galaxy.
Local players last kicked a ball in March after football was suspended.
SIHLANGU PROVISIONAL AFCON SQUAD
Sandanezwe Mathabela, Sizolwethu Shabalala, Nhlanhla Ngwenya (all Mbabane Swallows FC); Nhlanhla Gwebu, Siboniso Mamba, Sihlangu Mkhwanazi, Wandile Maseko, Lindo Mkhonta, Siboniso Ngwenya, Fanelo Mamba, Wandile Shabangu, Sandile Gamedze, Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini (all Young Buffalloes FC); Khanya Shabalala, Simphiwe Manana, Sabelo Gamedze (All Mbabane Highlanders FC); Ncamiso Dlamini, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Mlamuli Msibi, Mzwandile Mabelesa, Sifiso Matse, Sdumo Dlamini (all Royal Lepoards FC); Felizwe Vilakati (Manzini Sundowns FC), Sanele Chauke, Njabulo Tfwala (All Green Mamba FC), Linda Mbuli (Milling Hotspurs FC); Mthunzi Motsa (Moneni Pirates FC); Muzi Tsabedze (Manzini Sea Birds FC)
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