By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – It was not a good start for the National team, Girls Under-17 as they suffered a 7-0 defeat by Lesotho in their debut in the COSAFA Under-17 Girls Championships.
The game was played on Wednesday morning at the UJ AW Muller Stadium, Johannesburg. Eswatini was playing for the first time in the tournament since its launch four years ago. The team is in Group A of the qualifiers and they are yet to face Comoros and Mozambique in their remaining games.
Lesotho started the game on a high as they took the lead as early as 11 minutes and went to the break leading 4-0. They continued to pile pressure on the local side in the second half and scored three more goals to end the score at 6-0.
The local team is led by Sonnyboy Nkhoma.
The starting XI for Eswatini included goalkeeper Buhlebenkhosi Simnikiwe Dlamini, Siphelele Angel Mpandza, Thembalethu Simsile Mamba, Zwakele Hypecia Dlamini (Captain), Sisekelo Siphesihle Ngwenya, Sphesihle Nompilo Maseko, Simphiwe Tibuyile Matsebula, Langelihle Siphokazi Ngcamphalala, Cebisa Amahle Zikalala, Nozenzo Kwanda Gama and Notsa Nonhle Dludlu.
The team will be back in action on Sunday when they face Mozambique and their last game would be against Comoros on Monday (December 8).
Meanwhile, the Boys’ Under-17 will start their campaign against Zimbabwe tomorrow (Thursday) at the UJ AW Muller Stadium in the CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations / COSAFA Qualifier. They are in Group B and they will also play against Zambia and Namibia.
