Midfielder Alakhe Mdluli, who is on the books of the AmaZulu academy in South Africa, has joined the Eswatini U23 camp ahead of the U23 AFCON qualifier against Algeria on Wednesday.
Eswatini U23 have been handed a boost for their continental assignment. According to the Times of Eswatini, relayed via PressReader, midfielder Alakhe Mdluli joined the national team camp on Saturday, just days before the CAF U23 AFCON qualifier against Algeria, scheduled for Wednesday 11 November 2026. The player plies his trade in South Africa, at the AmaZulu academy, and not in Eswatini.
His arrival in head coach Friday Myeni’s squad comes after Eswatini progressed to the second round of qualifying.
A second-round place secured against Malawi
The Eswatini national team confirmed their place in the second round thanks to a 1-1 draw against Malawi at Somhlolo, which sealed a 2-1 win over the two legs, according to the Times of Eswatini.
To face Algeria, Friday Myeni can call on Malwande Gwebu, Njabulo Gama and Bafana Matse, again according to the same source.
A path forged in KwaZulu-Natal
Alakhe Mdluli’s journey has been built in South Africa. He captained Glenwood High School, twice champions of the KwaZulu-Natal school league in 2023 and 2024, the Times of Eswatini reports.
On the regional stage, he caught the eye at the 2024 COSAFA U20: he was named man of the match after a brace and an assist in the 5-4 win against Mozambique.
He signed for the AmaZulu academy in July 2024 and made his reserve-team debut against Orlando Pirates two months later.
Algeria, the next obstacle
The match against Algeria U23 is set for Wednesday 11 November 2026, as part of qualifying for the CAF U23 AFCON.
The available information does not specify the exact makeup of the squad called up or the place Alakhe Mdluli might occupy in the starting eleven.