The Sunday Mail
Noel Munzabwa in MBABANE, Swaziland
SWAZILAND believe the Warriors are there for the taking when the two teams resume their rivalry in a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier here on Good Friday.
As Sihlangu grouped for their first full day of training last Monday, coach Harries Madze Bulunga and his lads declared the battle was on.
Yesterday they stepped up preparations as they played Lesotho at Mayaluka Stadium in Big Bend, an area known for notoriously hot temperatures.
The two sides are scheduled to clash again today at Somhlolo National Stadium. The return from injury of influential captain Tony Thulani Tsabedze has further raised Swazi hopes.
Tsabedze, nicknamed Manyovo (wasp), was the two-goal hero in the 2-1 away win over Guinea, a game he played despite losing a child two days earlier.
That decision to do duty for the country at such a difficult time has made the Sihlangu captain a cult hero and Bulunga is thrilled by his star man’s availability.
“He is a key member of the team and we are happy to have him in the squad ahead of the game against Zimbabwe,” he said.
One of Swaziland’s most respected soccer analysts, Comfort Jele, highlighted three areas needed for Sihlangu to prevail over Zimbabwe and march closer to Gabon.
These are player determination, a strong technical bench and boisterous home crowd.
“ . . .any player who wears the national team shirt knows what has to be done and they do it . . . they have no other choice.
“With their boots on, the players have demonstrated high level of determination each time they enter the field of play and it should be the same against Zimbabwe.
“With the right frame of mind and adequate preparations, I see nothing stopping the players from fighting tooth and nail to overcome the feared Zimbabweans,” he said.
Jele noted that Sihlangu’s strong start to the Afcon qualifiers has brought back fans to the stadium.
“The squad has really shown us that they have the capabilities of taking international football by storm, and our duty as a nation is to rally behind them each time they embark on a national assignment.
“And of course, a boisterous home crowd is expected to fill the stadium to lift up the boys’ spirits as they battle it out against the Warriors.
“Indeed, everyone who genuinely loves this country cannot afford to endure the painful experience of watching the locals suffer a defeat on home soil hence there is a dire need to approach this game with cohesion in all aspects and give Sihlangu the much needed support.”
