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SIHLANGU MUST BE EXTRA CAREFUL - JANZA

By Melusi Mlotsa | 2019-09-18

SOCCER – FOREWARNED is forearmed.

This adage hold true as capital city giants Mbabane Swallows newly appointed head coach Honour Janza has advised Sihlangu Semnikati to be extra careful when playing against Zambia on Sunday in the 2020 CHAN Qualifiers.

The two sides will lock horns at Mavuso Sports Centre at 3:30pm with the second leg match to be played seven days later in Zambia.

Janza is a former Zambia national team coach. He was appointed ‘Chipolopolo’ coach in 2015, replacing Patrice Beamelle.

He is regarded as one of the most qualified coaches with a UEFA coaching badge. In 2015, he led Zambia to the Africa Cup of Nations finals where they lost against Tunisia.

Speaking yesterday ahead of the CHAN qualifiers encounter, Janza said it would be an interesting match between the two nations as they would be parading local based players.

“I don’t want to say much about this match since Eswatini is now my second home. However, what I can say is that Zambia has players, who are young and very skilful. They also have speed, so Sihlangu must be extra careful in this encounter. Having said that, may the best team win on Sunday,” he said. Janza urged the players to grab the opportunity with both hands as they would be representing their respective countries. “Like I said, I don’t want to say much about this match because I haven’t got the opportunity to watch Eswatini play. What will make this match exciting is the fact that only local based players are allowed to take part in this tournament.”

He said a number of countries had improved including Eswatini, so no team can be taken for granted.

“All I can say is that this will be an entertaining encounter and the better prepared team will win on the day,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Zambian national team is currently in camp in Lusaka.

‘Chipolopolo’ head coach Osward Mutapa has urged his players not to undermine Sihlangu.

He told his players to take the match seriously. On the other hand, the nation’s pride Sihlangu Semnikati is also in camp in preparation for the epic clash. The Papic boys are still licking their wounds after a shocking defeat at the hands of Djibouti in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.

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