Swaziland propose friendly against Flames

The Swaziland national soccer team ‘The Sihlangu’ has lined up an international friendly game against the Flames, according to media reports from Mbabane.

According to The Observer, the National Football Association of Swaziland (Nfas) acting chief executive officer (CEO) Comfort Shongwe’s talks with FAM in relation to a soccer friendly match are in progress.

Shongwe said they had been engaged in talks with the Football Association of Malawi, but there were challenges as a number of countries would be taking part in the continent’s tournament, the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

“We have not yet officially approached any country and the challenge is that other countries will be participating in the Orange Afcon,” Shongwe told The Observer on Tuesday.

The acting CEO said the Malawi game will be used to prepare for the African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament.

“We have a number of logistics to consider before we can be sure of our next opponents. The Malawi/Swaziland friendly will be on the agenda.”

According to Shongwe, no agreement had yet been made with FAM on who will host the other if the match eventually materialises.

He said all would depend on agreements between the two countries.

“Costs implications will also be considered when taking the decision. The football officials from both countries will make the final decision in as far as the Malawi friendly is concerned,” he said.

FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said those are just proposals and nothing has been put to paper.

“It is just a proposal, but they have not come back to ask for concrete arrangements. When they come with something concrete, then we can discuss that, but as of now it remains a proposal,” said Nyirenda.

Both Swaziland and Malawi have missed out on the Afcon tournament which begins on Friday, next week in Equatorial Guinea.