SWAZILAND CRASHES OUT OF AFCON U-20 QUALIFIER

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Swaziland ........................... (1)1
Leo 37th
Malawi ................................ (1)1
Chinsinsi 15th

LOBAMBA – It is the end of the road for Swaziland in the 2019 AFCON Under-20 Qualifiers.

This, after the Dumsani Makhanya-led charges played to a 1-all draw against a hard-fighting Malawi, at a nearly empty Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday despite that entrance was free.

The national side crashed out on the away goal-rule, following that they played to a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture in Malawi two weeks ago.

Before the game, a moment of silence was observed following the passing away of Malawian under-20 player, Abel Mwakilama, who died last Friday due to a suspected Malaria illness.

Despite the sad news, the visitors started the game on a high note and eventually opened the scorers’ chart 15 minutes into the game.
The junior Flames broke the deadlock through Chinsinsi Maonga, who headed home from a high flying corner kick inside the danger zone. The hosts pulled one back just eight minutes before half-time, through Vovovo left winger Leon Manyisa. He benefitted from a Mkhuleko Dlamini curling cross, as his glancing header beat goalkeeper Charles Thom in between the sticks.

An emotional Makhanya conceded that his squad gave a gallant performance despite that they were no match for their opponents in as far as age is concerned.

“CAF must really look into this issue of age cheating, it’s killing our football, we were playing against a side that had players over 25 years,” Makhanya alleged in a post-match interview. Former Mbabane Highlanders coach Meck Mwase said the results were a welcome change for his side as they will advance to the next stage and play Angola. He denied the age cheating claims by Makhanya.

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