By Chris Dlamini
“What must our player do to earn that national team call-up?”
This is the question Mbabane Swallows and general members of the public are asking after the announcement of the latest senior national team Sihlangu for the upcoming World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against Angola and Mauritius away on June 7 and 11 respectively.
The squad was announced on Wednesday morning by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA).
“We are so proud to announce that five of our players, including our hard-working wing defender Siphosethu Mabilisa have been selected.
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This just confirms why we are champions and that we signed a young but quality squad that has outdone itself.”
“Sadly though, our best winger and probably the best young winger in the country who has proven every season he deserves the Sihlangu call-up has not been included.
Why is this happening to him? What does he have to do to get the call-up? Perhaps one day we’ll get that explanation,” Swallows Medic Siyabonga Mdluli, who was Master of Ceremony (MC) in the team’s league title celebration on Wednesday afternoon at their training base, All Nations Church in Ezulwini.
Nonetheless, Mdluli and the team’s Governor Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane said five players from Swallows still justified this team’s success.
“With the team of Felix, Sifiso Mabila, Tony, and Samba Jive, it took us four years before we started winning everything and went on to make an impact in Africa for two consecutive seasons.
What this squad has achieved is a miracle. We have played four cup finals and won the league, which is the toughest as it requires consistency,” Zwane said.
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Meanwhile, experienced former TS Galaxy forward Felix Badenhorst also sang praises for his teammates for the achievement in just one season.
“They have surprised me too. It took us a while to be a dominant force, but they have just done four cup finals, then the league title in just one season,” he said.
Badenhorst, who has been out for three months due to injury, also said he was nearly recovered. He said doctors gave him four months, and this was his last.
He has begun light training and is expected to be fully fit for the CAF Champions League in August. Swallows expect to have a short sneeze off-season but will announce their return to training.
