SIHLANGU’S DRAWBACK!

(At King Zwelithini Stadium)
Sihlangu.....(1) 2
Sikhali 25th, Felix 47th
Comoros….(1)2
Bacar 43rd, Ibroihim 49th

DURBAN – It’s out of the national team, Sihlangu’s hands now. Kostadin Papic and his boys are on the brink of elimination in the COSAFA Cup after settling for another 2-all draw against Comoros here yesterday.

Sihlangu forced a 2-all draw with Mauritius in the opening game on Saturday at the same venue. This has left the nation’s pride with one foot out of the tournament. A win for either Comoros or Mauritius tomorrow in the last game of Group A will see Sihlangu sent packing again in the early stages of the sub-continental tournament. If both teams settle for a draw of less than two goals, Sihlangu will go through and if they draw 2-all, there will be a draw where the group winner will be determined.

Sihlangu, playing good and attacking football, failed to keep a clean sheet as Comoros twice came from behind.
Sihlangu started the game on a high note, attacking in all angles.

They could have taken the lead with only a minute from the start, but Sikhali’s header six yards from goal line missed the target by inches. Sihlangu continued to pile pressure and Felix Badenhorst’s header, nine minutes later, also went off target with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Five minutes before the half hour mark, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa’s moment of brilliance gave Sihlangu the lead after a well taken shot sailed to the roof of the net.
Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu could have increased the lead five minutes from half time but he failed to beat the goalkeeper unmarked inside the 18area.
Two minutes from the break, Lindo Mkhonta failed to clear the ball and Comoros Boina Bacar capitalised and easily beat Sandanezwe Mathabela, scoring the equaliser. The match then went to half time 1-all.

Two minutes in the second half, Felix Badenhorst gave Sihlangu hope as he scored his eighth goal in the COSAFA Cup. He beat the goalkeeper after receiving the ball unmarked inside the 18 area box.
Two minutes later, Comoros equaliser through their international player, Youssouf Ibroihim, who was given a lot of space to control in the 18 area and slotted in a well-taken ground shot with Mathabela beaten hands down.

Sihlangu continued to dominate the game but missed all the chances that came their way.
Papic made only one change in the team that played Mauritius with injured Siboniso Ngwenya replaced by Junior Magagula. He introduced Banele Pupu Sikhondze and Fanelo Order Mamba for Junior Magagula and Njabulo Ndlovu.

Sihlangu will now wait for tomorrow’s game to see if they still have a chance, failing which they will head back home on Thursday.

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