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SIHLANGU CRASH OUT OF COSAFA PLATE

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Sihlangu…..........................(0)
Botswana…...................… (1)2
Onkabetse 8th, Gape 90+2

POLOKWANE – Sihlangu have endured another dreadful campaign in the COSAFA Cup.


The national side failed to respond positively to the exit in the COSAFA Cup main tournament after losing 0-1 to Botswana in the Plate semi-final here at a chilly Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last night.


Following the setback in the Plate, which is COSAFA’s second-tier tournament for losing quarter-finalists; Sihlangu have now failed to win in four straight matches in the regional tournament.

In the past year, they were also sent packing in the Plate semi-finals by Namibia. The last COSAFA Cup win for Sihlangu was back in 2016, when they beat guest nation DR Congo by 1-0 in the third place play-off.
It was Botswana’s Onkabetse Makgantai who set the tone for a flawless outing for his team. He fired home from a crowded box following a Thathayaone Kgamanyane pass in the eighth minute to take his tally for the tournament to six.


Unlike in the quarter-final loss to Lesotho, Sihlangu were adventurous  for a change, but forward Musa Dlamini was submerged upfront.
Coach Anthony Mdluli made four changes to the side that lost to the Basotho, dropping Wandile Maseko, Siboniso Mamba, Barry Steenkamp and Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko. Returning to the starting team was the quartet of Sanele Mkhweli, Bonginkhosi Dlamini, Musa Dlamini and Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo.


 The ‘Zebras’, who were  inspired by their talisman  Kabelo Seakanyeng with five goals, were dangerous going forward and their wingers easily  shook off the Sihlangu defence.


Eswatini, on the other hand, had only threatened through Felix Badenhorst during the opening period. The away side took the narrow lead to the break. Sihlangu had proven daring on resumption of play and Mdluli introduced the duo of Nhleko and Steenkamp for ‘Manyovu’ and Musa, respectively.

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