By Sibusiso Masilela
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has lined up a five-day South Africa camp for the National team, Sihlangu in readiness of the opening two 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The nation’s pride will face Libya on November 13 before taking on Cape Verde on November 17 at Mbombela Stadium in the opening Group D fixtures.
The Dominic Kunene-led side has started preparations for the qualifiers with the weekly two-day training camp on Monday’s and Tuesday’s at the EFA Technical Centre in Lobamba. A source close to the matter revealed that the executive committee has already started working on the logistics for the two assignments.
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“The squad will camp in Mbombela during the opening two qualifiers, and they will return home after the matches. This has been made to help the team adapt well in Mbombela,” the source said.
EFA Marketing and Communications Manager Muzi Radebe said they were preparing the programme for the two international assignments.
“We are still in the planning stage for the qualifiers, and nothing has been finalised at this stage,” he said.
The mother body will be using the 2010 FIFA World Cup venue as an alternative venue since the CAF ban on the Somhlolo National stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre which was imposed in 2018 after the venues were deemed unfit to host international matches.
EFA spends E130 000 to book the alternative venue per match. The nation’s pride will also face Cameroon, Angola, and Mauritius in the other group D matches. The next world Cup finals will be jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA), Mexico and Canada
The Sihlangu squad:
Goalkeepers
Ncamiso Dlamini (Royal Leopard)
Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (Mbabane Highlanders)
Xolani Gama (Green Mamba)
Defenders
Samkeliso Ginindza (Illovo)
Sibongakonkhe Silenge (Green Mamba)
Simanga Masangane (Royal Leopard)
Vusi Vilakati (Mbabane Highlanders)
Kwakhe Tfwala (Mbabane Swallows)
Mxolisi Manana (Green Mamba)
Philiso Newman (Mbabane Swallows)
Midfielders
Mzwandile Mabelesa (Royal Leopard)
Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopard)
Mpendulo Tfomo (Mbabane Highlanders)
Sizolwethu Shabalala (Mbabane Swallows)
Ayanda Gadlela (Mbabane Swallows)
Neliswa Dlamini (Mbabane Swallows)
Njabulo Magagula (Green Mamba)
Strikers
Sabelo Ndzinisa (Green Mamba)
Justice Figuareido (Richards Bay Fc)
Philani Mkhonto (Mbabane Highlanders)
Bongwa Matsebula (Young Buffaloes)
Mthokozisi Gwebu (Sea Birds)
Neliso Myeni (Nsingizini Hotspurs)
