SIHLANGU LOSE TO LESOTHO IN COSAFA CUP QUARTERS

(At Peter Mokaba Stadium)

Lesotho……….1
Tsepo 71st
Swaziland…….0

POLOKWANE – An uninspiring Sihlangu are out of the COSAFA Cup following a 0-1 narrow loss to Lesotho yesterday.

 It was Lesotho’s Tsepo Toloane’s 71st minute killer blow that ensured that Anthony Mdluli’s men would miss out on a semi-final berth for a second straight year following an unconvincing display at a cold new Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in South Africa’s Limpopo Province.

Despite a promising first half, the Eswatini side allowed an average Lesotho side to take control of the game. Coach Anthony Mdluli, who led the side for a first time in an official match, had given a chance to both his seasoned campaigners and some of the promising ‘new boys’, but noticeably allowed a goal-shy Barry Steenkamp to overstay his welcome on the field of play.

Lesotho, who were led by Poland-based Luciano Matsoso, had proven dangerous with their wing play, but were foiled in the first half. It was Basia Makepe, who had the best chance of the first half, as he brought the best out of goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela with a long range effort in the 25th minute. Sihlangu had only asked questions through Lindo Mkhonto and Felix Badenhorst, who both had their efforts wiped out to safety.

The teams could not be separated during the interval. The second half was more of a replica of the first, as the sides took turns in launching attacks, but Sihlangu were presented with a chance to break the deadlock in the 67th.

Barry and Felix got stuck in a forest of bodies, when attempting to fire at an unguarded goal post.
The former Swazi international (Felix) was eventually sacrificed for Musa, as the coach felt he needed to inject pace into his troops’ play.

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