HEARTBREAK FOR SIHLANGU!

MBABANE – Senegal’s Teranga Lions have pierced the nation’s hearts again in the COSAFA Cup.

Just like in the last year edition, Senegal won after penalties in the quarterfinals this time around with Royal Leopard’s Mzwandile Mabelesa missing the 10th penalty for Sihlangu yesterday. The gifted midfielder strayed to the stands to dash the national side’s hopes of reaching the semifinals again. It ended 10-9 after penalties with the regulation time score being 1-all. In the 2021 COSAFA Cup edition, Senegal won 3-0 after penalties after the 90 minutes had ended with a 2-all draw but it was in the semifinals stage. Sihlangu will now face Botswana in the Plate Competition, a repeat of 2018 when the locals lost 1-0. Senegal will face Zambia in the semifinals.

Sihlangu had given hope after a gallant performance in the group stages where they outclassed AFCON finalists Malawi as well as the duo of Lesotho and Mauritius to finish top of the group. It was Senegal who drew the first blood in the eighth minute when Lamine Camara’s strike from about 30 yards free kick evaded a fully-stretched Sihlangu goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela. Senegal then came in full force as they were in control of the game but failed to convert more scoring chances and the match went for the breather with Sihlangu trailing by the solitary goal.

Better

Sihlangu were a better team in the second-half. Coach Dominic Kunene withdrew Manzini Wanderers’ Neliswa Dlamini for Mbabane Highlanders’ Philani Mkhontfo and Young Buffaloes’ Siboniso Ngwenya for Royal Leopard’s Sikhumbuzo Ngwenya. Sihlangu could have equalised in the 56th when a well taken cross by substitute Philani Mkhontfo found his teammate Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa who had scored in every game. The latter directed his header wide from about six yards out. Then came the precious moment for Sihlangu on the hour mark, Young Buffaloes’ Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze who was deservingly given the man of the match award released a neat pass to the right to Highlanders’ Philani Mkhontfo who coolly finished off to the left corner with Senegal goalkeeper Alioune Faty beaten. Mkhontfo scored the equalising goal having spent 19 minutes in the field. With 10 minutes remaining, Saviola was saved by the goalkeeper Faty three yards from goal after a pass from Mkhontfo.

Superb

Senegal could have finished off the game in additional time but Mbabane Swallows goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela unleashed a superb save from Senegal’s Tendeng strike. Mathabela ploughed his feet into the ball to clear it to safety. The game then went straight for the penalty kicks and it was Senegal who took the first one and scored. Sihlangu scored their nine penalties through Captain Lindo Mkhonta, Leon Manyisa, Sabelo Ndzinisa, Junior Magagula, Peter Dlamini, Sihlangu Mkhwanazi, Philane Mkhontfo, goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela, Sikhumbuzo Magagula, with the 10th penalty missed by Mabelesa and that was the end of COSAFA Cup dream. They will now turn their focus onto the Plate semifinal match against Botswana to be played tomorrow at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium. Kick-off time is 3pm.

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