Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini………. (0)0
Zambia………… (1)2
Mukosha 37th, Mutale 81st
Mother luck was certainly not with Eswatini as the future stars went down 2-0 to Zambia in an entertaining COSAFA Cup Under-20 Championships.
The performance from Mduduzi ‘Sikhalo’ Nxumalo’s boys was spirited, at the very least it deserved a draw. Chance after the other was wasted, leaving the hosts’ chances of a first-ever semi-final appearance in 23 years in the regional showpiece hanging by the thread.
As early as the second minute, Sinenkosi ‘China’ Dlamini delivered an inch perfect cross on the right to find Banele Nkambule unmarked at the back post only for the forward to hit the side net. The biggest chance for Eswatini came a minute before the half hour mark when the mercurial Sizwe Khumalo hit the cross bar, benefiting from a clever Banele pull back.
Three minutes before the breather, Eswatini should have registered a goal again but Zambia’s goalkeeper Jeban Tembo pulled a brilliant save to deny Banele after another ‘China’ cross on the right.
Goals from either side of the half by Emmanuel Mukosha and Lombe Mutale were enough to put the Zambians on the brink of a semi-final qualification with the last group match coming tomorrow against Botswana at Mavuso Sports Centre.
Three minutes after the quarter hour mark, right-back Lusito Shongwe failed to pick his man in a swift Zambia attack as Mukosha slotted home unmarked at the back post from an inviting Joseph Banda’s cross. On the overlap, full back Mutale finished the game as a contest with nine minutes of regulation time remaining as he toe-poked past Siyabonga Magagula at the Eswatini poles from a Rickson Ng’ambi pass.
Captain Siphephelo Philiso was at fault here as he gave away the ball in a dangerous area, allowing Zambia to prowl. Eswatini will now have to beat Mauritius at all costs at this very same venue if they are to qualify as the best second placed team from the tournament’s three groups.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
