Swazi Observer

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EGYPT COACH BACKS UNDER FIRE ANTHONY

By Sabelo Gwebu | 2018-10-17

SOCCER - FORMER Spanish giants Real Madrid Manager, now Egypt Head Coach Javier Agguire apparently holds Anthony Mdluli and his technical team in high regard.

Agguire is convinced if the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) could keep Mdluli; Sihlangu will climb the ladder in the FIFA rankings following a convincing performance in yesterday’s 2019 AFCON qualifier at Mavuso Sports Centre compared to what he witnessed in Cairo last Friday. The strategist who masterminded yet another win over Sihlangu in a space of four days said he saw a lot of positives from Sihlangu compared to last Friday’s 4-1 bashing. “They are fighters, the ran for 93 minutes and they got a few chances. We had to show we are better than them not just on paper. I’m convinced if the coach and his technical team can continue, Swaziland (Eswatini) can move up in the FIFA rankings,” he said to journalists in a post-match interview after a 2-0 win. Agguire added that he did not expect Sihlangu to show such a brave performance.

“They pressed better today, used their wing play to good effect and organised on the counter. The only difference was experience, which is why we won the match,” he said.

Despite playing lowly ranked Eswatini, he said they always try to approach games the same way, with high intensity and admitted the first goal calmed nerves.

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