Africa-Press – Eswatini. International players Justice Figuareido and Bongikhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini have been dropped from the senior men’s national team Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup provisional squad.
This was revealed following the release of the 27 players who have been selected and are expected to report for camp tomorrow at the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre in Lobamba.
The camp will mark the commencement of the senior national team’s preparations for the upcoming annual regional tournament to be played in Durban, South Africa from July 5 to 17. Announcing the squad was EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe yesterday.
Head coach Dominic Kunene has continued to keep faith in his tried and tested squad with a majority of the players who have been selected returning to the national duty after playing both legs of the AFCON Qualifier earlier this month.
However, after not being available during the qualifying matches, both Figuareido and ‘Manyovu’ have not been included in the preliminary team with Royal Leopard’s new signee Simanga ‘Stina’ Masangane getting his first call up to the national team.
Asked about the omission of the international players, the coach said he would wait for them to be available or released by their respective teams but they were still part of his plans. This is despite the fact that both players have completed their respective seasons with their teams.
“When it comes to international players like ‘Figa’ and ‘Manyovu’ we have to get the go ahead from their clubs that they are available, so we are still waiting for that.
This is not the final squad and they could still join the team before we depart for the competition,” he said.
Coming to the camp and his expectations from the squad, the coach said he believes the players he selected would work hard and represent the country well, including the debutants.
“We will prepare for the COSAFA Cup diligently as we are going there to compete and get good results. We have new players in the training camp and we are expecting them to step up and show us why we called them up for national duty since they have been playing well at league level,” he said.
Sihlangu kickoff the campaign against Mauritius on July 6 followed by Malawi two days later ending their Group B fixtures against Lesotho.
Sihlangu Semnikati provisional squad
Goalkeepers
Phephisani Msibi (Royal Leopard FC), Sandanezwe Mathabela (Mbabane Swallows FC), Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (Mbabane Highlanders FC)
Defenders
Mlamuli Msibi (Royal Leopard FC), Sikhumbuzo Magagula (Royal Leopard FC), Lindo Mkhonta (Young Buffaloes FC), Sihlangu Mkhwanazi (Young Buffaloes FC), Siboniso Mamba (Young Buffaloes FC), Peter Dlamini (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Mcolisi Manana (Green Mamba FC), Kwakhe Tfwala (Young Buffaloes FC), Simanga Masangane (Vovovo FC)
Midfielders
Mzwandile Mabelesa (Royal Leopard FC), Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopard FC), Khetho Mkhontfo (Green Mamba FC), Siboniso Ngwenya (Young Buffaloes FC), Neliso Dlamini (Manzini Wanderers FC), Philani Mkhontfo (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Junior Magagula (Royal Leopard FC), Leon Manyisa (Mbabane Swallows FC)
Strikers
Sabelo Ndzinisa (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Muzi Tsabedze (Manzini Sea Birds FC), Bongwa Matsebula (Young Buffaloes FC), Sandile Gamedze (Young Buffaloes FC), Fanelo Mamba (Young Buffaloes FC), Nhlanhla Ngwenya (Mbabane Swallows FC), Mthokozisi Gwebu (Manzini Sea Birds FC)
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