Photo Credit: Eswatini Football Association.
Eswatini coach Zdravko Logarusic has settled for a modest 24-member squad dominated by home-based players for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Cameroon and Mauritius.
Zambia’s ZESCO United defender Lindo Mkhonta, Mxolisi Mkhontfo (Jwaneng Galaxy F.C.- Botswana), and Justice Figareido of Bay United FC in South Africa are the only foreign-based players in the squad.
Apart from the trio, experienced striker Felix Badenhorst, who plays for Royal Leopard FC, is the inspiration for Sihlangu up front.
The Croatian named his squad on Tuesday with an eye on the back-to-back home games against the Indomitable Lions on Wednesday, 19th March 2025 and Mauritius on Sunday, 23rd March 2025.
Eswatini, who lack a certified venue for high-profile international teams, will host both matches at the Mbombela Stadium in neighbouring South Africa.
Sihlangu anchor Group D of the World Cup qualifiers without a point in four games, whereas second-from-the bottom Mauritius have four points and leaders Cameroon eight.
Tentative squad:
Goalkeepers; Xolani Gama (Green Mamba FC), Mlungisi Nxumalo (Young Buffaloes FC), Mlungisi Makhanya (Royal Leopards FC).
Defenders; Gift Gamedze (Royal Leopard FC), Mzwandile Mabelesa (Royal Leopard FC), Fanelo Mamba (Young Buffaloes FC), Philiso Newman (Mbabane Swallows FC), Thabo Langa (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Lindo Mkhonta (Zesco United F.C.-Zambia).
Midfielders; Simanga Masangane (Royal Leopard FC), Kwakhe Thwala (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.), Neliswa Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs FC), Junior Magagula (Royal Leopard FC), Innocent Dlamini (Young Buffaloes FC), Philani Mkhontfo (Manzini Sea Birds FC), Banele Sikhondze (Tabora United F.C.), Mxolisi Mkhontfo (Jwaneng Galaxy F.C.- Botswana).
Strikers; Bongi Magagula (Mbabane Swallows FC), Felix Badenhorst (Royal Leopard FC), Sabelo Ndzinisa (Green Mamba FC), Justice Figareido (Bay United FC-Republic of South Africa), Mthokozisi Gwebu (Manzini Sea Birds F.C.), Mayibongwe Mabuza (Manzini sea Birds F.C.), Sambulo Simelane (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.).
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