SIHLANGU SEMNIKATI OUT OF AFCON 2027 CAMPAIGN
Eswatini’s Senior Men’s National Team, Sihlangu SeMnikati, have exited the campaign of the 2027 TOTALENERGIES AFCON Qualifiers following a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Eritrea.
First Leg
The two-legged encounter began on the 25th of March in Meknes, Morocco, where Sihlangu delivered a disciplined and resilient first-half performance. Goalkeeper Mlamuli Makhanya was a standout figure, producing a crucial penalty save to keep the match level at halftime. Facing an opponent with limited recent international activity, the technical team was challenged with minimal reference material, making the early stages of the match a tactical assessment as much as a contest. Sihlangu SeMnikati maintained their structure and composure deep into the second half; however, Eritrea capitalized late in the game, scoring in the 82nd minute before adding a second goal in stoppage time to secure a 2-0 advantage heading into the return leg.
Second Leg
The second leg, played on the 31st of March at the Somhlolo National Stadium, saw a strong show of support from Emaswati, who came out in numbers to rally behind the national team. With a challenging task ahead, Sihlangu SeMnikati approached the match with intent and urgency, dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities, particularly in the first half. Despite their attacking efforts and control of the game, the breakthrough proved elusive, and the teams went into halftime goalless. In the second half, Eritrea extended their aggregate lead with goals in the 50th and 59th minutes which complicated Sihlangu’s path in the qualifiers. Nevertheless, the team continued to push forward and was rewarded in stoppage time when Justice Figareido converted a well-taken free kick to register Eswatini’s lone goal of the tie.