Eswatini have dropped top scorer Sandile Gamedze ahead of this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo to add to the significant changes made by coach Dominic Kunene to the squad for the group B encounter.
Gamedze had been arrested by police last week and held on rape charges, prompting the Eswatini Football Association to drop him from the squad.
“The Eswatini Football Association (EFA), on discussions with the national team management, has since decided that the player, Sandile Gamedze is released from the national team’s duties,” said a statement.
Kunene, whose team still have a remote chance in group B, had already made six changes to the 26-man squad from March’s two qualifiers against the Cape Verde Islands, where Eswatini forced an away draw but then lost their home game.
They will again play their home match at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium, hosting Sunday’s match in South Africa again because their own stadia have been ruled unfit for use in international competition by the Confederation of African Football.
The Green Mamba quartet of Mxolisi Mkhontfo, Xolani Gama, Sibongakonkhe Silenge and Njabulo Magagula are all new to the squad while Manzini Sea Birds forward Mthokozisi Gwebu and Royal Leopard’s Mzwandile Mabelesa make a return.
Premier League golden boot winner Felix Badenhorst; South Africa-based Justice Figareido and Mbabane Highlanders goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala were dropped as Eswatini look to snap a run of six games without victory.
Captain Lindo Mkhonta, who plays his club football in Zambia, is the only foreign-based player in the squad.
SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Ncamiso Dlamini (Royal Leopard), Sibusiso Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs), Colani Gama (Green Mamba)
Defenders: Lucky Gamedze (Madlenya), Siboniso Mamba (Young Buffaloes), Mcolisi Manana (Green Mamba), Simanga Masangane (Royal Leopard), Lindo Mkhonta (Zesco United, Zambia), Sihlangu Mkhwanazi (Young Buffaloes), Mlamuli Msibi (Royal Leopard), Siyabonga Silenge (Green Mamba), Vusi Vilakati (Mbabane Highlanders)
Midfielders: Neliso Dlamini (Mbabane Swallows), Mwandile Mabelesa (Royal Leopard), Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopard), Bongwa Matsebula (Young Buffaloes), Mcolisi Mkhontfo (Green Mamba), Philani Mkhontfo (Mbabane Highlanders), Siboniso Ngwenya (Young Buffaloes), Mpendulo Tfomo (Mbabane Highlanders), Kwakhe Thwala (Mbabane Highlanders)
Forwards: Mthokozisi Gwebu (Manzini Sea Birds), Njabulo Magagula (Green Mamba), Fanelo Mamba (Young Buffaloes), Sabelo Ndzinisa (Green Mamba).