2027 AFCON: Eswatini coach drops Nsingizini Hotspurs FC quartet

Eswatini national team coach Sifiso Ntibane has dropped four Nsingizini Hotspurs FC players from the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches’ squad.

Popularly called Sihlangu SeMnikati, Eswatini will face Eritrea in the AFCON preliminary round first-leg match in Morocco on Wednesday, November 25, 2026. The game will kick-off at 14:00GMT.

Ahead of the away tie, Ntibane has axed Hotspurs goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala, defender Nkosingphile Shongwe, midfielders Sizwe Khumalo and Thubelihle Mavuso.

Why Eswatini coach axed Nsingizini players

Reports suggest that the coach made the decision after the Eswatini Premier League champions failed to release the players for the Sihlangu SeMnikati’s camp training.

In an interview with Pan-Africa Football, Eswatini Football Association Marketing and Communications Manager, Muzi Radebe, confirmed the exclusion of the four players, but fell short of providing the reasons for the coach’s decision.

“They were in the [provisional] 26-member squad, but when the coach selected the final squad, they were not there. It is the coach’s choice. So far, we don’t have any other information,” Radebe said on Thursday.

Ntibane calls up replacements in Eswatini squad

Ntibane has since called up foreign-based stars such as South Africa-based trio of Thulane Njingane (Orbit College FC), midfielder Alakhe Mdluli (AmaZulu FC) and Chippa United striker Justice Figareido.

Zambia-based ZESCO United defender Lindo Mkhonta has also earned the call up alongside Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC centre-back Kwakhe Thwala, Philiso Newsman (Agama FC, Zimbabwe), Zimbabwe’s HardRock FC midfielder Neliswa Dlamini.

Sihlangu SeMnikati will host Eritrea in the return match of the AFCON preliminary round qualifiers at Somholo National Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

The overall winner between Eritrea and Eswatini will advance to the group-stage to join seeded teams.