Sihlangu name squad for Guinea and COSAFA

Noel Munzabwa

THERE are minor changes in Swazilandaï¿½ï¿½s Sihlangu outfit to do duty against Guinea in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The few changes from the side that lost to Zimbabwe 4-0 in Harare on Easter Monday having managed a draw in Mbabane on Good Friday have Swallows veteran midfielder Wonder aï¿½?Samba Jiveaï¿½ï¿½ Nhleko and Royal Leopard striker Bonginkosi aï¿½?Manyovuaï¿½ï¿½ Dlamini as the new faces.

Sihlanguaï¿½ï¿½s track record against Guinea is promising having beaten themAï¿½ 2-1 in Morocco in the opening group fixture last year they seek to make it a double at home.

Zimbabwe will keenly follow this tie as it carries a potential to seal the Warriorsaï¿½ï¿½ qualification should they win against Malawi in Harare provided Swaziland beat Guinea at Somhlolo National Stadium.

Sihlangu coach Harries aï¿½?Madzeaï¿½ï¿½ BulungaAï¿½ preferred a double focused preparations for both the AFCON qualifier and next monthaï¿½ï¿½s COSAFA Seniors Challenge Cup due to kick off in Namibia on June 11 considering there will be little time in between to refocus.

After the June 5 match against Guinea, Swaziland will travel to Johannesburg by road before connecting to Namibia from OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday June 7 ahead of Saturdayaï¿½ï¿½s COSAFA opener coincidentally against the Warriors.

Quadruple cups winning Mbabane Swallows dominate the 26 member squad with 10 of their players selected to be part of the national team.

The 26-member squad was announced by the teamaï¿½ï¿½s head coach Bulunga at Sigwaca Football House last weekend and went into camp on Tuesday at the National Football Association of Swaziland Technical Centre.

The squad:
Goalkeepers
Nhlanhla Gwebu (Young Buffaloes), Sandile Ginindza (Mbabane Swallows), Sidumo Vilakati (Mbabane Highlanders)

Defenders
Sabelo Gamedze (Mbabane Highlanders), Skhumbuzo Ntimane (Royal Leopards), Sanele Mkhweli (Mbabane Swallows), Phumlani Dlamini (Manzini Sundowns), Siyabonga Mdluli (Green Mamba), Machawe Dlamini (Royal Leopards), Siboniso Mamba (Young Buffaloes), Mandla Palma (Mbabane Swallows).

Midfielders
Njabulo Ndlovu (Mbabane Swallows), Mcolisi Lukhele (Royal Leopards), Xolani Sibandze (Mbabane Highlanders), Muzi Dlamini (Royal Leopard), Zweli Nxumalo (Royal Leopard), Felix Badenhorst (Mbabane Swallows), Siboniso Malambe (Royal Leopard), Tony Tsabedze (Mbabane Swallows), Banele Sikhondze (Mbabane Swallows), Wonder Nhleko (Mbabane Swallows),

Strikers
Mthunzi Mkhontfo (AS Vita), Sabelo Ndzinisa (Mbabane Swallows), Phinda Dlamini (Green Mamba), Bonginkosi Dlamini (Royal Leopard)