HARARE — Eswatini’s U-17 national football team got off to a difficult start in the TotalEnergies AFCON COSAFA Qualifiers, suffering a decisive 3-0 defeat to Comoros at Ngoni Mwos Stadium. The loss leaves Eswatini’s hopes of advancing from Group A in a precarious position.
From the outset, Comoros showcased their superiority, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. The Islanders’ first major chance came just nine minutes into the game when Eswatini goalkeeper Luyanda Ndlovu made a crucial double save to deny Ibrahim Mchangama from the penalty spot. Eswatini, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, with lone striker Yakhani Magagula frequently caught offside.
Comoros’ pressure finally paid off just before halftime. Said Ahamada capitalized on a corner kick from Daniel Ali, heading the ball into the net in the dying moments of the first half. Comoros controlled 57% of possession in the first half, reflecting their dominance.
The second half continued in a similar fashion, with Comoros dictating the pace of the game. Eswatini’s hopes were dashed when Siviwe Madzinane was shown a red card following a VAR check for an off-the-ball incident, reducing his team to 10 men.
With a man advantage, Comoros exploited the space. Daniel Ali, a midfielder from the French Olympique Marseille Academy, doubled the lead with a spectacular overhead kick in the 85th minute. The final nail in the coffin came in the 94th minute when Fahad Mohamed tapped in a rebound from a parried header by Ndlovu, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Comoros.
This defeat puts Eswatini in a tough spot in Group A, which also includes hosts Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Eswatini must now secure dramatic results in their remaining matches to have any chance of advancing to the semifinals.
The COSAFA Qualifiers, which run until September 20th, feature 12 U-17 teams competing for a spot in the AFCON tournament. Only the three group winners and the best runner-up will progress to the knockout stage.
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