Eswatini U20 Edge Past Lesotho U20 in COSAFA Thriller
Eswatini U20 secured a 3:2 victory over Lesotho U20 in their Group B encounter at the COSAFA U20 Championship on 21 September. The hosts took control early, with G. Njabulo opening the scoring in the thirteenth minute before Kalache and A. Malaza added their names on the scoresheet by half-time. Lesotho fought back with two goals in stoppage time, but a missed penalty from L. Karabo in the sixtieth minute proved costly for the visitors.
The match followed a familiar pattern for both sides. Eswatini arrived needing points after a run of three straight defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Angola U20 on 19 September. Lesotho had been winless throughout the tournament, suffering three defeats from their opening matches and arriving with nothing to play for in the group standings.
Eswatini U20 — Lesotho U20: 3:2
- 13' — G. Njabulo
- 30' — Kalache
- 42' — A. Malaza
- 60' — L. Karabo (penalty missed)
- 90+1' — Lesotho goal
- 90+2' — Lesotho goal
The result keeps Eswatini in third place on three points from three games, while Lesotho remain bottom of Group B with zero points and no victories. The hosts have now ended their winless streak, though their form has been far from impressive throughout the tournament. Lesotho's late surge offered hope but came too late to salvage anything from the contest.
What stands out is how the match unfolded rather than the final tally. Eswatini dominated the first half, building a commanding lead before Lesotho's frustration mounted. The penalty miss at the hour mark shifted momentum, and the visitors' two stoppage-time goals felt more like consolation than a genuine comeback attempt. The result changes little in the group picture, but it gives Eswatini something to build on.
