CHAN DREAM UP IN SMOKE

MBABANE – It is the end of the road for Sihlangu.

This is despite playing to a 2-all draw aggregate score against Botswana in the TOTALEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 Qualifiers.  The second leg of the qualifiers was played at South Africa’s Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday and it was a home match for Sihlangu who cannot host a game here in Eswatini.

Conceded

The Dominic Kunene-led charges lost due to the away goal rule as they conceded two goals at home, while they failed to score in the goalless draw away first leg in Botswana about two weeks ago. The goal that broke the hearts of emaswati came through a penalty from Thero Setsile. He converted from the spot to beat Sandanezwe Mathabela between the sticks.It was like a stab in the heart for the hosts, who had twice taken the lead through marksman Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze and his Young Buffaloes teammate Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba. Had Sihlangu won, they would have set up a date with Madagascar who beat Seychelles.

Ticket

The winners in the second round will then book a ticket to Algeria in January 2023. Sihlangu had a bright start, drawing first blood 14 minutes into the opening half through ‘Saviola’. However, their joy was short-lived as the Zebras restored parity one minute after added time in the first stanza.
Young Buffaloes left winger Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba gave Sihlangu a deserved lead. It looked promising until the heartbreaking moment 11 minutes before full time. The result did not only crush Sihlangu’s CHAN dream, but ensured an unimpressive record against Botswana.  Eswatini has failed to beat Botswana in 19 years. The best results they got in the past 19 years were draws. This means the focus will now shift to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualfiers which have been postponed to next year.

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