By Chris Dlamini
S. Africa……..(1) 1,
T. Sibanyoni 3rd
Eswatini……(0) 0,
The COSAFA Cup 2024 journey for Eswatini is over. It was a must-win match for the Eswatini national team Sihlangu Semnikati against the host nation, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
It was a group decider that also saw their Group A rivals, Mozambique, slice through Botswana’s Zebras in a comeback win.
Mozambique was 1-0 down 20 minutes into the match at Wolfson Stadium, in Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth. However, the Zebras got a red card one minute before the break, and Mozambique capitalised, equalising before the break. It was an early lead for Mozambique in the second half that saw them sail to a 3-1 victory.
For Eswatini, it was a matter of displaying good football against an equally youthful Bafana Bafana side. Nsingizini Hotspurs midfielder Thubelihle Mavuso was impressive and enjoyed himself, especially in the opening half where he turned and tossed the opposition defence before releasing a through ball for Ayanda Gadlela.
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The latter nicely beat the goalkeeper with his left before calmly finishing it off, much to the amusement of the Eswatini dugout and fans watching online and television.
However, the effort, just three minutes before the half-hour mark, was ruled for an offside, a very close call, but the first assistant referee made the call.
As Eswatini went to the break behind, it was 1-all between Botswana and Mozambique. The second half saw Sihlangu coach, Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane make a change, taking out Mbabane Swallows winger Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala for Young Buffaloes forward, Bongwa ‘Owa’ Matsebula before resting Mxolisi Manana for midfielder Leon ‘Chuster’ Manyisa who also plays the MTN Premier League champions, Swallows with just less half an hour left in regular time.
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Eswatini needed an early goal, but it was Mozambique who got it before adding a third in stoppage time to complete their comeback win against a youthful Botswana who finished third in the group. Gadlela was also pulled off late in the match for Nsingizini forward Sambulo ‘Masoso’ Simelane, but it was a little too late for him to make an impact.
Eswatini had come close to securing an equaliser mid-way through the second half, but midfielder Junior Magagula failed to finish off from close range what appeared easy. Nonetheless, it would have been for pride as even the best runners-up spot would not apply after finishing below the second spot in the group.
Meanwhile, Eswatini will be returning home without success again in the COSAFA Cup and without a goal this year but two points. They also finished last in the group while Mozambique topped, while South Africa finished second with five points.
The exit from the regional showpiece means Ntibane and his technical team’s task is over as a new and foreign coach is expected to be announced by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) by the end of this month or next month at the latest.
He will lead the squad in the remaining World Cup 2026 CAF Qualifiers next year, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026 Qualifiers and the African Nations Championship (CHAN) among other tournaments.
Eswatini Starting XI:
1. Xolani Gama
2. Mxolisi Manana
3. Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini
4. Junior Magagula
5. Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala
6. Thubelihle Mavuso
7. Philiso Newman
8. Ayanda Gadlela
9. Gift Gamedze
10. Nkosingiphile Shongwe
11. Simanga Masangane
