Africa-Press – Eswatini. Sihlangu Semnikati head coach Dominic Kunene has apologised to the nation following their quarterfinal loss against Senegal in the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup on at the King Zwelithini Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
The former Young Buffaloes mentor said the nation had great expectations in the tournament before their 10-9 defeat at the hands of the West Africans on penalties.
“We would to express our sincere apology to the nation for the lost against Senegal as they expected the team to go all the way in the tournament. We will try to redeem our image against Botswana tomorrow (today) and we will not underestimate them,” he said.
Changes
Kunene further promised to make changes in his starting line-up in the plate semi-finals clash slated for the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in a 3pm kick-off.
“For us the tournament has not finished as we have the Plate Cup to play for. We will approach tomorrow’s game with the same enthusiasm to win and go all the way. Not to dismantle the core of the team, we will definitely make a couple of changes in the Botswana game as obviously, fatigue could have caught up with some of the players,” said Kunene.
The senior national side had two sessions yesterday ahead of the Zebras clash, at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in the morning and the Kings Park Stadium in the afternoon.
Sihlangu has played four games in eight days in the 2022 edition and today’s game will be the fifth in 10 days.
The senior national side will also face Botswana in the CHAN qualifiers in a few months time and today’s match will serve as a dress rehearsal. “We will not put the upcoming CHAN game in our heads. This is a different game which we must win to reach the finals of the Plate Cup,” he said.
Host South Africa will play the first game against island nation Madagascar in a noon kick-off at the same Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
2022 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA PLATE CUP FIXTURE:
Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
Today
South Africa vs Madagascar 12 noon
Sihlangu vs Botswana 3pm
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