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FELA, KHANYAKWEZWE OUT AS SIHLANGU SQUAD REVEALED

By MGCINI DUBE | 2023-05-25

SOCCER - SIHLANGU Semnikati head coach Dominic Kunene made six changes to his squad that faced Cape Verde as he looks to ahead to next month’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.

Kunene announced the national team squad that will face Togo in the Total Energies AFCON Qualifiers where the team will be playing their penultimate Group B fixture.

The selected 26 players are expected to report for training this Sunday at the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre in Lobamba.

The changes to the squad saw Green Mamba trusted quartet of Mxolisi Mkhontfo, Xolani Gama, Sibongakonkhe Silenge and Njabulo Magagula secure a place in the squad, while Manzini Sea Birds forward Mthokozisi Gwebu and Royal Leopard’s Mzwandile Mabelesa make their return to the squad.

MTN Premier League golden boot winner and Mbabane Swallows striker Felix Badenhorst, Eswatini international Justice Figareido and Mbabane Highlanders goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala were deemed surplus to requirements. Kunene said he was content with the squad going into the game and he believes that they have all it takes to go and get good results.

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“When you select a team there is a lot to be considered. Every player that makes it to the team should suit the style of play. Not calling up a player does not necessarily mean they were not good enough,” he said.

When asked about the exclusion of Felix Badenhorst he said the former Mbombela United forward could not score against the big guns which include Green Mamba, Mbabane Highlanders and Young Buffaloes respectively.

“I have nothing against him, he is a good player and I have worked with him before. If he would find the back of the net against the aforementioned teams then it would have been a different story all together.
“We play with a lone striker and we need mobility to match our style of play.

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