In a Group D fixture from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Mauritius came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw against Eswatini in Mbombela, South Africa. The two bottom sides in Group D group had an entertaining encounter with the teams sharing the points after Emmanuel Vincent's late leveler for Mauritius.
The Sihlangu Semnikati, as Eswatini are locally nicknamed, were the better side in the first interval. Philani Mkhontfo was the star of the show as he bagged a brace to hand the home side a comfortable 2-0 lead. Mkhontfo opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a brilliant left footed strike. He then doubled the lead following a defensive blunder by Mauritius captain Lindsay Rose.
Les Dodos, however, came from behind to level matters within five minutes after the break. Rose redeemed himself to score from close range a minute after the second half kicked off. First half introduction Yannick Aristide then leveled matters after finishing off a good cross from Jeremy Villeneuve.
Nonetheless the home side piled on pressure to retake the lead through Mayibongwe Mabuza who struck a rebound to make it 3-2.
Mauritius custodian Dorian Chiotti was superb later on to deny Kwakhe Thwala twice as the deficit remained the same. But Vincent’s well executed free kick gave the visitors a point at the death. They could have won it deep into the stoppage time but Eswatini goalie Mlamuli Makhanya pulled off a great save from Cooper Legrand.
Mauritius remain fifth in Group D on five points while Eswatini are last with two points after their March window ends unbeaten. Group D action resumes on Tuesday when Cameroon host Libya while group leaders Cape Verde travel to face fellow Lusophone nation Angola in a crucial fixture.
Group D Table
GP | Points | |
Cape Verde | 5 | 10 |
Cameroon | 5 | 9 |
Libya | 5 | 8 |
Angola | 5 | 7 |
Mauritius | 6 | 5 |
Eswatini | 6 | 2 |
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