Swazi Observer

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TOUGH DRAW FOR SIHLANGU

By MGCINI DUBE | 2024-06-15

Soccer - The national team Sihlangu Semnikati has been handed a tough draw in the 2024 COSAFA Cup.

This was revealed yesterday during the draw held in South Africa, Johannesburg.

This year’s edition will be played in Eastern Cape at Gqeberba, beginning from June 26- July 7.

Eswatini is in Group A with Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana respectively.

Interestingly, Eswatini was booted out of the tournament in last year’s edition by Bafana Bafana, courtesy of Orlando Pirates lethal forward Tshegofatso Mabasa’s strikes in 77th and 88th minutes.

The speedy forward cancelled a goal scored by Bongwa Matsebula in the 48th minute.

Sihlangu Semnikati interim coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane admitted the tournament won’t be easy for them but they were going to put their best.

“It’s a tough draw and time is not on our side for the preparations. We will analyse the countries that we will face and try to find a way to deal with them.

Look, I have faith in the boys, I have worked with them before and I know what they are capable of doing. We are as equally good as the opponents, so we will go and fight with all that we have,” he said.

The former Royal Leopard gaffer pleaded with the nation to support the boys as they try to bring back glory days.

“At this stage we need the courage, support and motivation, all we are trying is to grind positive results for our beloved country. We take this tournament serious and we know what is expected from us,” he said

performances

Meanwhile, the 22 previous editions of the COSAFA Cup have seen some great performances and incredible games that have been written into the folklore of Southern African football, but only five nations can claim to have lifted the coveted trophy.

Zambia went back-to-back in 2023 and now sit along at the top of the list of most titles with seven.

That is one more than Zimbabwe, with South Africa (five), Angola (three) and Namibia (one) the only other teams to claim regional glory. Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana and Lesotho have all been finalists twice, but ended up on the losing side on both occasions. Guest nation Senegal is the only other nation to reach the decider but lost to South Africa in 2021.

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