By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The National team, Sihlangu will now turn its focus to the African Nations Championships after its dream of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) was shuttered with a 3-0 loss to Mozambique on Monday evening.
Sihlangu was drawn against Zimbabwe in the first round of the African Nations Championships qualifiers and the first leg would be played away between October 25 and 27 with the second leg a week later with Eswatini being the hosts.
The winner between Sihlangu and Zimbabwe will then face Madagascar in the second round to be played late December.
Back to the AFCON Qualifiers, after the 3-0 defeat on Monday night at Mbombela Stadium, Sihlangu remains bottom of Group I with one point they secured on Friday against Mozambique in the first leg. They are out of reach of the first and second spot in Group I with only the top two qualifies for the tournament to be played in Morocco next year in December. Mozambique is on top of the table with eight points while Mali is second with seven points with only two games remaining. Guinea-Bissau is third with three points.
After a gallant fight on Friday in the 1-all draw against Mozambique, Sihlangu failed to live up to the billing as they were already trailing 0-2 in the first half of the match. Mozambique first goal came in 11th minute through Domingues with the second goal coming in five minutes before the break through Ratifo. The third goal that sealed the fate for Sihlangu came in the hour mark through Catamo.
Sihlangu is left to play Mali and Guinea-Bissau in their last two remaining fixtures in the AFCON Qualifiers.
