10-MAN UNDER-23S OUT OF OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Swaziland ............................. (1)2
Mcolisi 40th (pen), ‘Mzoro’ 61st
Zimbabwe ............................. (0)2
Kadewere 57th, Ronald 81st
(Zimbabwe won on away goals)

LOBAMBA – The National Under-23s surrendered a lead twice to crash out of the Olympic Qualifiers despite a 2-all draw with Zimbabwe yesterday.

After playing to a goalless draw in the first leg in Harare about a fortnight ago, Caleb Ngwenya’s charges needed to win at all costs in the decider played at Somhlolo National Stadium.  With nine minutes to go, the hosts thought they had done enough to make a date with South Africa in the last qualifying matches but skipper, Sibusiso Dlamini, gave away a penalty that further ended his involvement in the match.

The visitors were in the ascendancy, with forward, Wisdom Mutasa, causing all sorts of problems. The home side that made seven changes in the team that played in the first leg struggled to find their rhythm and were lucky to have kept their ‘back door’ shut at the half hour mark.

Against the run of play, Swaziland won a penalty when Blessing Moyo was adjudged to have handled the ball in the  box in the 40th minute, Malanti Chiefs midfielder, Mcolisi Mkhontfo, made no mistake from 12 yards as his callous shot was too strong for Zimbabwe goalkeeper, Tatenda Mukuruva. He helped his team enjoy a slender lead at the break.

Eager to score the much needed equaliser, Zimbabwe introduced Philana Kadewere at the start of the second half. The latter made an immediate impact, punishing the defence from a goal mouth scramble in the 57th minute.

Swaziland began to be adventurous and were gifted a goal by the Zimbabwean goal-minder who spilled the ball in front of Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini after the goalkeeper failed to deal with an Ayanda Kunene effort. However, Zimbabwe kept asking questions and the local outfit succumbed to the pressure in the 81st minute.

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