Lesotho hold Eswatini in U-17 preps
LOBAMBA – Eswatini fought back to hold Lesotho 1-1 during an Under-17 men’s International friendly match that was played at the Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday.
This was a noon kick-off which was a curtain raiser for the U-20 men’s international friendly match between the two kingdoms. In the early minutes of this match, it was Lesotho who was playing more offensively as they applied pressure to the Eswatini defence. Lesotho was back again in the 21st minute as they got a free kick outside the D-line after Mahloa Reamohetse was fouled by Junior Ndlovu; however, the wall did its job as it blocked the free kick. More pressure was applied by Lesotho as Lepheane Setsoto overlapped nicely only to be fouled outside the box. Lesotho waisted this free kick as Mohloa Reamohetse shot wide.
Eswatini absorbed the pressure and started to be more offensive as they got their first corner kick on the 24th minute; however, it was wasted. A suicidal mistake by Eswatini at the heart of defence almost gave Lesotho the lead after Phumlani Gama’s pass was intercepted and Sizwe Nkambule made a wonderful save only for Karaca Khafa to balloon the follow-up over the crossbar. Kelvin Maseko for Eswatini almost opened the scoreline when his shot hit the crossbar with Moetsi Reitumetse well beaten. Sizwe Nkambule who had an excellent game in Eswatini goal made another save in the 30th minute when he prevented Khetsi Thuso on a one-on-one situation.
Again, Kelvin should have put
Eswatini in the lead when he ballooned his shot inside the 18-area box in the 37th minute. The troublesome Mohloa Reamohetse was back on the 41st minute when he terrorised the Eswatini defence and Sizwe Nkambule saved his shot only for Phalatsi Hlompho to score the rebound. The referee sent both teams to the dressing room at halftime with Lesotho leading by 1-0.
Eswatini came stronger in the second half in search of the equaliser. Eswatini made a double substitution in the hour mark when Phumlani Gama and Siyabonga Mdluli came in for Nkosenhle Tsela and Mazwamahle Vilakati. This substitution added more life to Eswatini as they scored the equaliser in the 63rd minute after Satiso Masinga’s cross was met by Mthokozisi Dlamini, who controlled the ball and shot a powerful shot that was too much for Maloka Lehlohonolo.