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SIHLANGU TWO-GOOD

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MBABANE – Sihlangu have stunned Lesotho to set up an epic COSAFA Cup quarterfinal clash with African champions Senegal.

The national side’s marksmen in goal-per-game striker, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, and Man of the Match Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze, who got a rare start, scored two quick unanswered goals in  the first-half to ensure a spot in the quarterfinal against the West African giants on Wednesday. Having been relegated to the second spot after a 1-all draw against Malawi this past Friday, all Sihlangu needed to do to progress to knockout stage was to beat the side from the mountainous kingdom and they did just that.

finished

The opposition noticeably finished the game with 10 men, after Lisema was sent off late for a second bookable offence on ‘Sikhali’. Sihlangu came to the decisive Group B match ‘dangling underdog nametags’, as their opponents boasted a flawless record but at the end, a ‘red carpet had to be rolled out’ for Dominic Kunene’s men after a brilliant first-half that swung  the pendulum in their favour and eventual earned them the vital win. Eswatini national outfit had done their homework after closing the dangerous Basotho on the flanks and frustrated them from playing their passing game. It took the opening 13 minutes of the game for Sihlangu to take control of proceedings and it was ‘Saviola’ who capitalised on Lesotho’s defensive blunder to tip toe the ball into the net. 

The MTN Premier League top goalscorer benefitted from a long but strong throw-in from club teammate Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba to beat the goalkeeper, Sekhoane, from close range. Just when Lesotho were trying to pick up the pieces, Sihlangu pounced again. ‘Saviola’ turned provider, as he set up ‘Sikhali ‘with an exquisite long pass. The latter peeled off the defence to beat the goalkeeper with a low pass from close range in the 18th minute. It was goal a that drove the 30-year-old to the summit of the scorers’ charts in the 2022 instalment of the tournament with three goals. Ndzinisa has further matched Zimbabwe’s legendary Peter Ndlovu’s eight-goal tally in the regional soccer showpiece‘s all-time scorers’ charts. Both Ndlovu and ‘Sikhali’ are now on eight goals, with the latter getting closer to matching record scorer and countryman Felix Badenhorst who is on nine.

probing

Sihlangu kept probing and Lesotho’s Rethabile handled the ball just outside from another long pin-point ‘Order’ throw-in, but Sihlangu wasted the opportunity. However, Eswatini kept their foot on the accelerator to take the two-goal cushion to the break. Lesotho had managed to string a few penetrative passes on resumption of play, with Lisema testing goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela with an audacious attempt from near range in the 63rd minute. Sihlangu were committing errors midway through the half, but they were lucky the opposition could not capitalise on them. Seven minutes from time, the opponents were reduced to 10 men. It worked to Sihlangu’s advantage, as they tightened their back door to celebrate  a big win and further set up the last eight interesting clash with Senegal, which is a repeat of last year’s semifinal match-up which ended in Senegal’s favour after a 2-all draw in regulation time.
The quarterfinal against Senegal will be minus most of the stars who include Bayern Munich superstar Sadio Mane, which will be played in two days’ time at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban at 2pm.

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