Swaziland still have a chance

Swaziland remain in contention for Tunisia after a narrow 3-2 win against Botswana in Mbabane.

The scoreline failed to reflect Swaziland's superiority after they stormed to a three-goal lead after just 25 minutes.

Group 9 statistics

The Botswanan defence could not cope with the lively Swazi front pairing of Ziza and Sibusiso Dlamini.

Both strikers play their club football in South Africa and showed their class by scoring Swaziland's goals.

Dlamini got proceedings underway after just seven minutes when he neatly controlled an incisive pass on the edge of the box and then comfortably beat the 'keeper to put his team ahead.

The passing between the two was a constant feature of the game.

18 minutes into the tie, they combined to great effect as Dlamini crossed for his colleague to shoot home from close range.

Seven minutes later, it was Dlamini who found himself with room to score, as he got his second goal of the match after Bongali Mdluli crossed into the penalty area.

Demoralised after being three goals down before the half-hour mark, Botswana came back into the game.

Michael Mvgaladi collected a cross on the edge of the box before sweeping the ball home.

The Botswanans first goal of the qualifying campaign visibly lifted the side.

Ten minutes into the second half, they got some reward for their more enterprising approach, as Pius Kagogane took a left wing cross in his stride before hitting home from the penalty area.

The Swazi attack kept plugging away upfront but were unable to find a goal that would have killed off the game.

The 3-2 defeat leaves the over-physical Botswanans five points adrift at the bottom of Group 9.

With one game left, they can no longer qualify for Tunisia.