By Sibusiso Masilela
Sihlangu have suffered a huge blow ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Richards Bay FC striker Justice Figareido has been ruled out of the next clash against Angola and Mauritius due to his club’s involvement in the Premier Soccer League promotion playoffs.
This comes after the Natal Rich boys finished the 2023/24 Dstv premiership season sitting on position 15.
Richards Bay will be involved in the two-legged three-team format against Amatuks and Baroka in their quest to consolidate their top-flight football status between June 5 and June 19, 2024.
Sihlangu head coach Dominic Kunene confirmed the news to the Eswatini Daily News.
“The player won’t be part of the squad during the World Cup qualifiers after his team requested him for their Promotion playoffs.
We will look for his replacement in the current pool of players who are part of the squad,”he said.
The former TS Galaxy and Maritzburg United player is among the three international players who have been called up in the 26-member tentative squad together with Mxolisi Mkhonto(Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana)and Lindo Mkhonta (Zesco United, Zambia).
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Mkhonto and Mkhonta have already joined the squad in camp at the EFA Technical Centre on Sunday evening.
The senior national side will face Angola and Mauritius away on June 7 and June 11, 2024, respectively before taking part in the 2024 COSAFA Cup possibly in Durban.
The current Sihlangu tentative squad
Goalkeepers
Ncamiso Dlamini – Royal Leopards
Sibusiso Dlamini -Nsingizini Hotspurs
Xolani Gama – Green Mamba
Defenders
Sibonelo Sibandze – Young Buffaloes
Xolani Dlamini – Green Mamba
Mxolisi Manana -Green Mamba
Siphosethu Mabilisa -Mbabane Swallows
Sibongakonkhe Silenge -Green Mamba
Samkelo Ginindza -Illovo
Mzwandile Mabelesa – Royal Leopard
Simanga Masangane – Royal Leopard
Lindo Mkhonta – Zesco United(Zambia )
Midfielders
Sifiso Matse -Royal Leopards
Kwakhe Tfwala – Mbabane Swallows
Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini – Mbabane Swallows
Innocent Dlamini -Green Mamba
Bongwa Matsebula – Young Buffaloes
Thubelihle Mavuso – Nsingizini Hotspurs
Philani Mkhonto -Mbabane Highlanders
Junior Magagula- Royal Leopards
Leon Manyisa -Mbabane Swallows
Mxolisi Mkhonto – Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana)
Strikers
Sabelo ‘Sikhali’Ndzinisa- Green Mamba
Ayanda Gadlela- Mbabane Swallows
Mthunzi Mkhontfo – Green Mamba
Justice Figaredo -Richards Bay ( South Africa) omitted