SOCCER–ESWATINI Football Association (EFA) president Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane has rallied behind Sihlangu with a firm message of belief and incentive, as the national team prepares for a decisive 2027 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifier against Eritrea at Somhlolo National Stadium tomorrow.
Simelane revealed that players stand to benefit from enhanced financial rewards should they overturn the 2-0 deficit suffered in the first leg. While the standard winning bonus of E2 500 per player remains in place, he confirmed that additional incentives have been arranged, though the exact figures have deliberately been withheld.
“We have arranged incentives for the players apart from the standard win bonuses they get and we cannot reveal the amount as of yet,” Simelane said. His remarks stressed both the seriousness of the task ahead and the EFA’s determination to motivate the squad at a critical moment.
Beyond financial encouragement, Simelane struck a confident tone regarding the team’s chances of staging a comeback. Despite trailing by two goals, he expressed unwavering belief that Sihlangu could rise to the occasion on home soil.
“We have utmost belief in the players that they will get the job done. We are trailing 2-0 and we do not see any difficulty for us to score three or more goals at home,” he said.
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The EFA president also highlighted the broader implications of the match, noting that elimination at this early stage would mark an unprecedented low in the country’s football history. His comments reflect the weight of expectation resting on Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane and his charges as they seek to avoid a first-ever preliminary exit.
“It is going to be an embarrassment for the country to be eliminated at this stage, something that has never happened before,” Simelane emphasised, framing the encounter as not just a football match, but a matter of national pride.
He acknowledged that Eritrea had proven to be far from pushovers in the first leg, despite their long absence from international competition. According to Simelane, their performance served as a reminder of the evolving competitiveness within African football.
“Eritrea were a closed book going into the first leg as they have been away from international football for five years. However, they showed that they are capable and have players competing in professional leagues in countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands and Egypt,” he said.
Simelane concluded with a call to action for supporters, urging the nation to rally behind the team in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
“We can only plead for the nation’s support and the players will get the job done on the day,” he said.
FULL SIHLANGU SQUAD IN CAMP
GOALKEEPERS
Mlungisi Nxumalo (Young Buffaloes)
Siyabonga Magagula (Ezulwini United)
Qiniso Nyawo (Moneni Pirates)
DEFENDERS
Lindo Mkhonta (Zesco United, Zambia)
Kwakhe Thwala (Scottland, Zimbabwe)
Gift Gamedze (Royal Leopard)
Thulane Njingane (Orbit College, South Africa)
Simanga Masangane (Royal Leopard)
MIDFIELDERS
Mpendulo Tfomo (Manzini Sea Birds)
Innocent Dlamini (Young Buffaloes)
Junior Magagula (Royal Leopard)
Philani Mkhonto (Manzini Sea Birds)
Owa Matsebula (Young Buffaloes)
Neliswa Dlamini (Hard Rock, Zimbabwe)
Alakhe Mdluli (AmaZulu, South Africa)
Innocent Pakule (Moneni Pirates)
STRIKERS
Justice Figuaredo (Chippa United, South Africa)
Hleliso Gamedze (Royal Leopard)
Joseph Kibonge (Manzini Sea Birds)
Malangeni Dlamini (Tabankulu Celtics)
Sambulo Simelane (Hard Rock, Zimbabwe)
