By Sibusiso Masilela
Somalia………………………………………………………………………………(0) 0,
Eswatini…………………………………………………………………………….. (2) 3,
Justice Figareido 35th, Sabelo Ndzinisa 45th+3 , Kwakhe Tfwala 53rd
Sihlangu Semnikati is now closer to the ground stages of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
The nation’s pride thumped listless Somalia by 3-0 in a preliminary round first-leg encounter played at El Abdi Stadium in Marrakesh, Morocco on Wednesday.
The two nations had a cagey start in the match with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances.
Sihlangu finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute through a Justice Figareido low-ground shot outside the box.
The Richards Bay FC winger created some space inside the box before unleashing a grass cutter that left the opposition goalkeeper Mustafa Yusuf stunned.
The nation’s pride doubled the advantage with the referee adding time before the break thanks to a Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa glancing header.
Ndzinisa finished off a well-placed cross from Sibonelo Sibandze.
Sihlangu head coach Dominic Kunene made a double change a few minutes into the restart bringing in Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo and Thubelihle Mavuso.
The nation’s pride wrapped up the contest ten minutes into the restart through a sublime ground shot from the edge of the box after a good combination play by Mxolisi Mkhonto.
ASLO READ:Umkhonto ka-Cash!
Somalia was dead as they failed to pose a threat to the revamped Sihlangu that seems to be adopting a new carpet style of play in what was the first assignment for the new look technical bench which comprises two new assistant coaches Ernest Mavuso and Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane.
The two nations will lock horns in the return leg on March 26 at Mbombela Stadium where the senior national side will need a goalless draw to advance to the next hurdle of the continental showpiece qualifiers.
The teams:
Sihlangu:
Ncamiso Dlamini, Sibonelo Sibandze, Mxolisi Manana, Sibongakonkhe Silenge, Sifiso Matse, Mxolisi Mkhonto (Sandile Gamedze) Khwakhe Tfwala, Justice Figareido (Mthunzi Mkhontfo), Sabelo Ndzinisa, Bongwa Matsebula (Thubelihle Mavuso)
Somalia
Mustafa Yusuf, Abdirizak Mohamed, Saddia Elmi, Abdi Salim, Abdel Gagli, Mohamed Awad, Ishmael Shirwa, Abdullah Mohamed, Samed Ahmed, Yusuf Ahmed, Ibrahim Liyak
