LOBAMBA – Eswatini Under-23s staged a second-half comeback to beat Algeria 2-1 at Somhlolo on Tuesday and keep their maiden AFCON dream alive.
Eswatini are now 90 minutes away from making history by qualifying for the last preliminary round. They travel to Algeria for the second leg on Monday at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers.
Bongumenzi Khumalo levelled from the penalty spot at the hour mark before Sibonelo Mzala Vilakati grabbed the winner two minutes later, cancelling out Gaetan Jean’s first-half opener.
Algeria started brightly and threatened through Mokaran Bentoumi and Yanis Senhadji, but goalkeeper Xolani Sithole stood firm.
Algeria broke the deadlock five minutes before the break when Jean tapped in a set-piece from the left flank. Karim Boutera almost doubled the lead in added time, but his set-piece was tipped over.
Coach Friday Myeni responded four minutes before the hour mark, introducing Malwande Gwebu and Phowayinkhosi Dube for Njabulo Gama and Bonkhe Masika.
The changes paid off. Njongo Jakalazi Mazibuko was fouled inside the box and Ethiopian referee Haymanot Tebeje pointed to the spot. Khumalo made no mistake.
Two minutes later, Mzala curled a set-piece from outside the danger zone into the back of the net to complete the turnaround.
Algeria made a triple substitution, but substitute Lahlou Akhrib’s effort was collected by Sithole. Eswatini almost added a third when Njongo broke free, but he missed the target.
After the second round, the 14 remaining teams contest two-legged ties in the third and final round in March 2027. The winner of the Algeria-Eswatini tie will play the winner of Mali versus Zimbabwe.
The seven winners join hosts Egypt at the final tournament in November 2027. There, the top three qualify directly for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, while the fourth-placed team enter an inter-confederation play-off.
