By Lwazi Dlamini
In form Young Buffaloes striker, Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze, who has scored five goals in the last four games, was a notable absentee in the 26-member provisional national team, Sihlangu squad to face Somalia next month.
The 26-member squad which includes an extra player in former Under-23 starlet Manzini Sea Birds striker Joseph Kibongi was announced by head coach Dominic Kunene during a press briefing held at Sigwaca House on Saturday morning.
Besides the maverick Buffaloes star player who was dropped from the squad during the AFCON 2023 qualifiers because of a rape allegation against him, Kunene has dropped the Mbabane Highlanders duo of Philani Mkhonto, Vusi Vilakati as well as Mbabane Swallows Sizolwethu Shabalala and Philiso Newman.
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Other players who have been dropped from the squad include Manzini Sea Birds’ Mthokozisi Gwebu, Mzwandile Mabelesa, Samkelo Ginindza and Xolani Gama.
Sihlangu Semnikati, among the eight lowest-ranked teams on the continent, will face the ‘Ocean Stars’ of Somalia in a two-legged Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 preliminary round qualifier.
Sihlangu will be away in the first leg on March 20 and will then host the second leg clash, most likely at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa on March 26.
Kunene has selected as many as five Under-23 squad players in the provisional squad which was minus the international players.
“We have only called up the local-based players, the international players will be brought in during the FIFA week. This means the door is still open for any other player to be called up as this is just a provisional squad and we are hoping to train twice a week on Mondays and Tuesdays before we start full-time camp,” Kunene said.
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He also explained the reason behind the inclusion of Manzini Sea Birds striker Joseph Kibongi as an extra player in the squad.
“He is not really part of the squad but will be training with us as we, as a technical bench, want to monitor him. Sihlangu is for all emaSwati and it doesn’t matter which division you are in,” Kunene said.
THE PROVISIONAL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers:
Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (Highlanders), Sibusiso Dlamini (Nsingizini) and Ncamiso Dlamini (Leopard)
Defenders:
Sibonelo Sibandze (Buffaloes), Xolani Dlamini (Green Mamba), Mxolisi Manana (Green Mamba), Manqoba Maseko (Leopard), Sibongakonkhe Silenge (Green Mamba), Gift Gamedze (Madlenya)
Midfielders:
Nkosingiphile Shongwe (Nsingizini), Simanga Masangane (Leopard), Sifiso Matse (Leopard), Kwakhe Tfwala (Swallows), Mpendulo Tfomo (Highlanders), Neliswa Dlamini (Swallows), Bongiswa Dlamini (Buffaloes), Innocent Dlamini (Green Mamba)
Strikers:
Bongwa Matsebula (Buffaloes), Thubelihle Mavuso (Nsingizini), Muzi Tsabedze (Sea Birds), Mthunzi Mkhontfo (Green Mamba), Ali Matse (Buffaloes), Junior Magagula (Leopard), Ayanda Gadlela (Swallows), Sabelo Ndzinisa (Green Mamba), Neliso Myeni (Nsingizini) and Joseph Kibongi (Sea Birds).
