Rough World Cup start for Eswatini, neighbours

MBABANE – Eswatini, Botswana and Mozambique suffered heavy defeats on day one of the FIFA Under-15s World Cup and Festival in Baku.

The inaugural tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan, saw a tough start for three Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) nations at the Hovsan Complex on October 24, 2026.

Eswatini were thrashed 6-1 by Colombia in Group M in their first outing. The young Sihlangu scored, but were punished by a clinical Colombian side that dominated possession and created chances at will.

The result leaves Eswatini bottom of Group M after matchday one, level with Samoa who were hammered 10-0 by Slovakia. Slovakia’s win puts them top on goal difference and sends a strong warning to Eswatini, who face them next in a must-avoid-defeat clash in Baku.

Thailand also started strongly in Group M after edging Dominican Republic 3-2, meaning Eswatini will need points against Samoa and Thailand to keep knockout hopes alive.

Botswana endured a tougher outing in Group O in Azerbaijan, falling 7-1 to Mali. The Young Zebras conceded early and never recovered as Mali took control. Mongolia beat Papua New Guinea 6-2, while Belarus and Peru drew 2-2, leaving Botswana bottom and needing a quick turnaround.

Mozambique lost 2-0 to rivals Madagascar in Group T in an all-COSAFA affair in Baku. It was tight, decided by second-half goals, with Madagascar taking early initiative. Venezuela thrashed New Zealand 5-0 and Somalia beat Puerto Rico 3-1, leaving Mozambique with work to do.

Despite the three defeats, COSAFA enjoyed a largely positive opening day in Azerbaijan.

South Africa led with an 8-0 thrashing of Maldives in Group A, while Malawi beat Chinese Taipei 3-2 in Group B and Zimbabwe edged Cambodia 3-2 in Group C. Lesotho beat Bulgaria 3-2 in Group I.

Zambia beat Tanzania 3-1 and Comoros overcame Montserrat 3-1 in Group X; Mauritius hammered Brunei 5-0 in Group R and Madagascar completed a double delight for the COSAFA region by beating Mozambique.

For Eswatini, Botswana and Mozambique, focus now shifts to recovery in Baku, with second group games offering a chance to bounce back and keep hopes alive at the global showpiece.

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