Eswatini vs Tanzania

Eswatini face Tanzania on Wednesday at Free State Stadium in their final Group C match of the COSAFA Cup, knowing that only a win will keep their tournament hopes alive.

Drawn into one of two three-team groups, the King's Shield are currently second with just one point from their opening game and need to defeat the already-eliminated Taifa Stars to advance to the knockout stage.

Eswatini are once again on the brink in their quest for a knockout spot, having not moved beyond the group phase since 2022.

With only two games to secure a top position, Sihlangu Semnikati managed just a draw in their first match against group leaders Madagascar.

Their campaign seemed in jeopardy after conceding in the 29th minute, but a powerful second-half free-kick by Andy Junior Magagula kept their hopes alive.

Trailing Madagascar by three points, with the group leaders having completed their fixtures, Eswatini must overcome Tanzania to level the points and hope their goal margin is sufficient to progress.

The two teams met previously in the 2015 COSAFA Cup, where Eswatini, then known as Swaziland, secured a 1-0 victory. Coach Zdravko Logarusic’s side will aim to repeat that result, though they know the margin of victory could be crucial.

In 2015, Eswatini were eliminated despite matching points with Madagascar, losing out due to fewer goals scored, and they’ll be determined to avoid a similar fate this time.

A narrow 1-0 win could leave their progression up to a COSAFA tiebreaker decided by a random draw.

Tanzania, meanwhile, are already out of contention, facing another early exit as they did in 2015, when they left the tournament without a point or goal.

After a 1-0 loss to Madagascar in their opener, the Taifa Stars have now gone six matches without a win across all competitions, losing five.

Despite their elimination, the guest nation, who stepped in at the last minute on May 29 to replace Morocco, will look to end their fourth COSAFA Cup appearance on a positive note.