Suriname ………… (1) 4
Kerk 6th, Margaret 60th, Piroe 68th, 80th
Eswatini ………… (0) 0
MATSAPHA – Sihlangu’s historic European tour ended on a disappointing note after they suffered a 4-0 defeat to Suriname tonight.
West Ham United striker Joël Piroe scored twice in the second half to headline Suriname’s emphatic victory in an international friendly played at Stadion De Vliert in the Netherlands.
The €10 million-rated forward, valued at approximately E186.8 million, needed just 12 minutes to complete his brace, turning a competitive encounter into a comfortable victory for his side.
The defeat came three days after Eswatini secured a historic 1-1 draw against Malta on November 12, recording their first-ever result on European soil.
Head coach Dominic Kunene retained the same starting XI that faced Malta, demonstrating his faith in the players who had delivered the historic result.
Captain Philani ‘Mkasabuli’ Mkhonto again led the team, with Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini between the posts. Newman ‘Strong’ Philiso, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, Thubelihle Mavuso, Justice ‘Figa’ Figareido, Yekisizwe ‘Madumane’ Khumalo, Gift ‘Jobe’ Gamedze, Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala, Simanga ‘Stina’ Masangane and Nkosingiphile ‘Skomota’ Shongwe completed the starting line-up.
For much of the first half, Kunene’s decision appeared justified. However, Suriname, ranked 128th in the world and 36 places above Eswatini, broke the deadlock through Erzurumspor forward Gyrano Kerk in the sixth minute.
Sihlangu refused to be overwhelmed by the early setback and gradually grew into the match, creating a promising opportunity to equalise. However, Figareido failed to convert a golden chance when presented with an opportunity to restore parity.
The Caribbean side consequently went into the half-time break holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.
The missed opportunity proved costly as Suriname doubled their lead in the 60th minute through Go Ahead Eagles attacker Richonell Margaret. The goal followed a defensive error by Philiso, who slipped while attempting to clear the ball, leaving goalkeeper Dlamini exposed.
Piroe then took centre stage, scoring his first goal in the 68th minute with a close-range finish. Dlamini was left stranded as Shongwe desperately attempted to clear the ball, but his intervention came too late.
The West Ham star completed his brace in the 80th minute after another defensive error, putting the result beyond doubt and sealing a convincing victory for Suriname.
Despite the heavy defeat, Eswatini can draw encouragement from their performance against Malta, where they secured a landmark 1-1 draw despite playing with 10 men following Gamedze’s red card. Mkhonto was the goalscorer for Sihlangu.
The result against Malta remains a significant milestone in Eswatini football history, although the defeat to Suriname provides a reminder of the challenges facing the national team as they continue their international development.
