By Sibusiso Masilela
Libya is cautious of Sihlangu ahead of the two nation’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday at Mbombela Stadium.
This was revealed by North African side head coach Milutin Sredojevic ahead of the opening Group D encounter. Libya arrived in South Africa on Tuesday for the game while Sihlangu was set to leave the country on Wednesday.
“We will enter in World cup qualifiers with totally rejuvenated team whose average age is 22 years and will use upcoming opening match against Eswatini as starting point in our quest to build a future team against a good opposition.
They are good side with some talented individuals within their camp and we will not underestimate them as they showed potential during the recent 2023 AFCON qualifiers where mother luck was not on their side,” he said.
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The former Orlando Pirates mentor also said they were looking forward to the match against the nation’s pride. “We look forward to the next match where we will be gauging our new team and we won’t underestimate the opposition,” he said.
Libya is expected to arrive in Mbombela on Monday afternoon while Sihlangu is expected to leave on Wednesday for Mbombela as they are currently in camp at the EFA Technical Centre in Lobamba.
The senior national side is currently hosting its home matches at a neutral venue since the CAF ban on the Somhlolo National Stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre in 2018 after the venues were deemed unfit to host category A international matches.
Group D also comprises Cameroon, Angola, Cape Verde and Mauritius who are all in the hunt for slots in the next World Cup finals to be jointly hosted by Canada and, the United States of America.