By NOMALUNGELO PHIRI | 2024-12-13

SOCCER - TRUE to his word, Sihlangu Semnikati head coach Zdravko Logarušic says they are close to resolving the issues they had with the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), and was focusing on the upcoming games.

Logarusic has been absent from national team duties, including recent Sihlangu Semnikati matches against Mali and Guinea-Bissau.

He made an appearance at a press briefing at Sigwaca House yesterday, where he named the 24-man squad to represent the country in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championships (CHAN) Qualifier against Madagascar.

Sihlangu will report for camp at Lobamba Technical Centre on Sunday.  
The coach, who was reluctant to answer some questions pertaining his absence from the squad, said he cannot predict his future with the Eswatini national team, saying his focus was  on the coming match against Madagascar.

“I am ready to fight in these final matches of the qualifiers, even though there are a few days remaining before the game. There is never enough time. “Due to the tight schedule of the league, this means some of my players will play three games in seven days. I can write a book about Eswatini football,” he said.

Coach ‘Loga’ has made an addition of Mbabane Swallows goalkeeper Bongiswa ‘Romario’ Dlamini, who will make his first appearance in the senior men’s national team.

Asked on his decision to include the former Manzini Wanderers shot stopper, the Croatia-born mentor said he saw some potential in the player and wanted to give him an opportunity after achieving six clean sheets in six games in the domestic league.

opportunity
“We are giving him an opportunity so that he gains more experience,” said Logarusic.
Meanwhile, Royal Leopard striker Felix Badenhorst and Nsingizini goal-poacher Sambulo ‘Masoso’ Simelane together with the duo of Royal Leopard defenders Mzwandile Mabelesa and Mlamuli Msibi have bounced back.

The senior national football team is scheduled to face Madagascar on December 21, with the second leg set for December 29, two days before  the New Year.

Eswatini and Madagascar's game is critical, with the winner advancing to the CHAN finals scheduled for February 1-28, 2025 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Eswatini earned its place in this round by defeating Zimbabwe with an aggregate score of 4-0.

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