U-17S CRASH OUT IN COSAFA SEMIS

Mozambique…(1)1
Cipriano 10th
Eswatini………(0)0

MBABANE – No dream final but a good going by the country’s national Under-17 soccer team away in Malawi, Blantyre.

It was back in 2001 when the under-17s reached this stage of the COSAFA Men’s Under-17 Tournament but yesterday, October 18, they played Mozambique in a semi-final inside Mpiri Stadium. They also got knocked out fighting and were more comfortable on the ball and forced as many corners in the first half according to online reports.

However, the dream to make it beyond the semi-finals and re-write the history books by reaching the final for the first time came to an abrupt end within 10 minutes from the first whistle. Eswatini was caught on the counter. It was initially a free-kick for Eswatini which was played wide but well intercepted by Mozambique who, through Kenese Mubaba got on the counter attack, dribbled past the last defender before taking a shot.

The goalkeeper Siyabonga Magagula spilled the ball towards Simon Cipriano’s path who finished it off from close range. Cipriano had all the confidence after scoring four times against Lesotho in their group match. The early goal turned to be the ticket to the final for Mozambique who were later to wait for the other semi-final game between Angola and Zambia. Angola who were defending champions lost 0-2 to Zambia, setting up a third-place play-off with Eswatini tomorrow.

change

Meanwhile, Eswatini coach Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini had to make a quick change as he pulled out Njabuliso Mkhatshwa for Mukelo Nkambule five minutes from the half-hour before making a forced substitution in the 65th. Troublesome Khayalethu Zitha was forced out by an injury, the coach throwing in Yandisa Kunene.

Earlier on in the first half, Eswatini had to worry a little when goalkeeper Siyabonga Magagula went down on the ground and had to get medical attention. This was 10 minutes after the goal from which he took a knock trying to stop Cipriano from scoring. However, he continued with the game after treatment.

As it turned out, South African referee Rurisa Fidele blew for full-time with both sides failing to effect any changes to the scoreline and it was all joy for Mozambique as they celebrated reaching the final. However, mother luck was also on the Mozambican side as Eswatini finished strongly, getting a chance in the 87th but was also stopped even though there was a red card for Mozambique as the tackle was illegal.

woodwork

Then four minutes stoppage time was added and Eswatini hit the woodwork in the final minute, Mozambique 1, Eswatini 0 it was. It was just not their day as Mozambique put every player behind the ball and from the 70th to the end, it was a case of anywhere will do for the leading side.

Despite the loss Eswatini showed a bright future as the team did quite well to reach the semi-finals and along the way beat hosts Malawi 2-1. Malawi did not make it past the group stage. Meanwhile, the boys will now await a third-place play-off which if they win, they will return with bronze.

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