MANZINI: Zesco United F.C. captain Lindo Mkhonta will be the skipper of the national team, Sihlangu that faces Mozambique this afternoon and on Monday. Sihlangu head coach, Zdravko Logarusic appointed Lindo who played for the national team when Sihlangu faced Mauritius in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Logarusic announced the appointment on Tuesday afternoon during the open media day for the national team at the Mavuso Sports Centre. He explained that he needed Mkhonta because of his experience and and stabilizing effect in the Sihlangu defence line. “I need Lindo for his experience and to stabilize the defence. He will also captain the national team,” Logarusic said.
The coach said he had great respect for Mozambique’s Black Mamba who face Sihlangu in Maputo this afternoon: “Mozambique is a good team. They have players who play their club football in Europe. They got good results in the previous matches in the group which makes them the best team in the group at the present moment”, Logarusic said.
Sihlangu players looked ready and sharp in camp. Justice Figareido who plays for Richards Bay F.C. in the Betway Premiership in South Africa confirmed his readiness for today’s match. He is also enthusiastic of the transformation of the team under the head coach. “I am hapy with my form and can see the work the head coach has put into the team,” Figareido said.
Also joining the squad is Felix Bandernhorst. “So far so good in camp. We believe we will work well and get good results,” Badernhost said.
Sandile Gamedze who is also making a return in the national team expressed his delight of being back to the squad. “I am happy to be back in the national team. The head coach is good and players have a good relationship with him.
Eswatini currently at the bottom of the group with zero points. The matches against Mozambique this afternoon and on Monday will be a significant decider of the future of the Sihlangu campaign in the TotalEnergies AFCON Qualifiers is concerned.
jm/today/11.10.2024
