AFCON DREAM UP IN SMOKE

NELSPRUIT - Sihlangu’s dream of reaching the AFCON finals has been shattered, following a crushing 0-3 defeat to Mozambique, last night.

With two games to spare in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Zdravko Logarusic’s men’s chances of making the cut are now next to the zero mark. Following last night’s setback at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Eswatini who have one point, do not only pray for Guinea-Bissau to beat Mali tonight, but need wins against these two teams.

Mali are on seven points while Guinea-Bissau have three. Mozambique are now on eight points. Coach Logarusic was forced to tweak his back four, with Sibonelo Sibandze stepping in to replace the suspended Mcolisi ‘Marcelo’ Manana. Eswatini’s export Justice Figuareido passed a late fitness test to also get a run.

Overall, the Eswatini side played out of shape and were deservedly punished by the visitors who were in no compromising mood. The veteran Elias Pelembe set the tone for a flawless outing for the ‘Mambas’, breaking the deadlock as early the 11th minute. He chipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Xolani Gama to punish a flat-footed Eswatini defence.

An unmarked Stanley Ratifo doubled Mozambique’s advantage with a glancing header inside the box in the 41st minute. The Mozambicans enjoyed the two-goal cushion during the interval. Mozambique still dictated terms on resumption of play, with Geny Catamo putting the game beyond the hosts’ reach just before the hour mark. Trying to shuffle the side by bringing in the adventurous pair of Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze and Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba did not yield the desired result for Eswatini, who eventually succumbed to the opposition to be derailed in their AFCON

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