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MBABANE – Somalia National Team Head Coach Rachid Lousteque expressed optimism that his team could still overcome the first leg deficit.

This is despite their 0-3 loss to Sihlangu on Wednesday night. Eswatini’s national football team, under the guidance of Coach Dominic Kunene, achieved a decisive victory over Somalia during their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match in Morocco on Wednesday evening.

The team’s goals came from Justice Figuareido, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, and Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala, who celebrated his first international goal with the team. “Frankly, our team did not meet expectations during the match. We were outperformed by Eswatini, who capitalised on their opportunities and showed their clinical finishing skills. Although I believe our teams are evenly matched, Eswatini demonstrated a decisive edge in their ability to convert chances into goals,” he said.

The Moroccan, who replaced former Sihlangu Coach Pieter de Jongh in July 2022, revealed that he remained optimistic about his team’s chances. He emphasised that the match was not over yet, and his side still had the opportunity to advance to the next round.

Victory

“Despite the setback in the first round, we are determined not to throw in the towel. We will regroup and analyse our performance against Eswatini, as well as our opponents’ strategies. As the technical team, we will work diligently to identify areas for improvement and implement the necessary adjustments to secure a victory in the upcoming matches,” he added.

Lousteque extended an invitation to Somalians, urging them to attend the upcoming match on Tuesday. “In times like these, it’s essential that we stand united as a team and as a community. The support of our fans plays a crucial role in lifting our players’ spirits and motivating them to perform at their best. When our fans come together to cheer us on, it creates an electric atmosphere that inspires our players to push beyond their limits and strive for victory,” the coach said.