MBABANE – Philani ‘Mkasabuli’ Mkhonto etched his name into local football history on Thursday night, scoring Eswatini’s first-ever goal on European soil in a 1-1 draw against Malta.
The Sihlangu captain delivered the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time at Ta’ Qali National Stadium, giving the visitors the lead despite playing with 10 men following Gift ‘Jobe’ Gamedze’s dismissal.
The international friendly marked a historic milestone for Eswatini football, representing Sihlangu’s maiden fixture against European opposition on European soil. The tour serves to test a youthful squad against unfamiliar international styles and raise the country’s footballing profile abroad. Reflecting on the landmark encounter, Mkhonto praised his teammates’ resilience after being reduced to 10 men, expressed pride in leading the young squad and credited the technical team for providing the leadership the national side needed.
“I will say the game was okay until we got that red card, but we showed character. We wanted the game more than them; everyone was willing to suffer,” Mkhonto said.
The skipper also highlighted his responsibility to lead by example, explaining that his focus was on guiding the younger players while maintaining consistent performances for both club and country.
“For me, I am happy leading by example. It is a young group and I am just here to guide and help the guys. Going forward, I am looking for consistency in my performances for club and national team,” he said.
The former Mbabane Highlanders captain is now counted among the African players to have scored against European sides on the continent. South African legend Siyabonga Nomvethe famously netted an 87th-minute winner for Bafana Bafana in a 1-0 friendly victory over Sweden in November 1999.
Malta had home advantage and were expected to win, with only four places separating the two nations in the FIFA World Rankings. However, Sihlangu had other ideas.
The hosts started brightly and nearly scored after 19 minutes when a free-kick caused panic in the Eswatini penalty area. Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini spilled the ball, but Newman ‘Strong’ Philiso cleared the danger over the crossbar.
Sihlangu’s task became considerably harder in the 29th minute when Gamedze was sent off following a foul. Malta pressed their numerical advantage, but Zach Muscat’s effort five minutes later was comfortably gathered by Dlamini.
The visitors delivered the defining moment in first-half stoppage time. Justice ‘Figa’ Figareido produced an inch-perfect pass for Mkhonto, who beat James Sissons to send Eswatini into the break with a priceless lead.
Malta coach Emilio De Leo introduced four substitutes at half-time, and his changes paid dividends almost immediately. Two minutes after the restart, Basil Tuma rose highest to meet Joseph Mbong’s delivery and head home the equaliser.
Malta continued pressing, but Eswatini’s defensive organisation, marshalled by Simanga ‘Stina’ Masangane and Nkosingiphile ‘Skomota’ Shongwe, helped the visitors withstand the pressure.
Meanwhile, Eswatini’s next opponents, Suriname, were held to a goalless draw by Lithuania in another international friendly.
The two nations are scheduled to meet tomorrow in the Netherlands, where Mkhonto and his teammates will seek to build on their historic performance.
