Times Of Swaziland: SITSEBE COSAFA DREAM UP IN SMOKE

SITSEBE COSAFA DREAM UP IN SMOKE
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Ntombikayise Gwebu on 26/10/2024 07:57:00


MBABANE – Three Banyana Banyana unanswered strikes were enough to put
Eswatini’s pride Sitsebe COSAFA dream in peril.
A packed Isaac Wolfson Stadium was home to this thrilling encounter, yesterday.
The sides faced off in the second group match of the Hollywoodbets Council of
Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) clash. The goalkeepers were quite
busy with this match tied to a goalless deadlock for 40 minutes. Regardless, a
defensive blunder rubbed salt into Sitsebe’s old would against Banyana
Banyana. Forward Nobahle Mdelwa took the defence line for a joy ride before
slotting the ball into the far end of Gcinile Dlamini’s right corner.
The home fans roared in excitement, following the 41st minute strike. South
Africa enjoyed a slender lead when Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa
signalled for a breather. As the play continued, Banyana Banyana shot-stopper
Jessica Williams, stretched their lead with a gorgeous free-kick in the 55th
minute. Eswatini seasoned forward and skipper Celiwe Nkambule tried to pull one
back but, was stopped by Williams, who snatched the ball from her feet just
after the hour mark.
With the icing on their cake, midfielder Ayesha Moosa thought it would be a good
idea to add her name to COSAFA scoring charts. That was when she struck a
long-range stunner, leaving Sitsebe’s well-built goalie Dlamini watching
haplessly three minutes before regulation time ended. Sitsebe had thrown
everything into the attack for an elusive equaliser. Nevertheless, their
attempts proved futile, as the hosts celebrated a 3-0 victory when Twanyanyukwa
blew her final whistle.
In another fixture, their next opponents Namibia crushed debutants Seychelles
7-0, setting the tone for a tricky Sitsebe clash. Following the defeat, Sitsebe
are seated in the third position of their group standings. If Eswatini beat
Namibia next Monday, they will move to second place behind SA on head-to-head.
SA are already through to semi-finals having won 1-0 against Namibia. As per the
competition rules, only group winners will progress to semi-finals.