Mavuso denies Mozambique victory in Maputo

Mozambique had to settle for a share of the spoils after being held to a 1-1 draw by Eswatini in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Estadio do Zimpeto on Friday.

Chiquinho Conde's side bossed proceedings in Maputo and eventually took the lead through Stanley Ratifo 17 minutes from time, but they were pegged back just seven minutes later by Thubelihle Mavuso's equaliser.

The Mambas remain top of Group I, one point clear of Mali ahead of their clash with Guinea-Bissau later in the evening, with the King's Shield picking up their first point of the qualifying campaign.

Both teams showed plenty of attacking intent in the opening stages and Eswatini goalkeeper Xolani Gama was called into action after just three minutes when he made a brave save at the feet of Elias Pelembe to cut out a low cross from Stanley Ratifo on the right.

Gama had to think quickly once more on 17 minutes as he came off his line to prevent Nene from crossing the ball back into the danger area from Geny Catamo's free-kick to the back post and Reinildo was just inches away from getting on the end of the another set-piece from the winger that bounced inside the six-yard box on 23 minutes.

The first clear-cut chance arrived in the 37rd minute following more good work from Catamo, whose cutback from the left found Nene, but the defender got under the ball and his shot sailed high over the crossbar.

The hosts enjoyed a strong finish to the first half and Ratifo got his bearings all wrong when he steered a header well wide of the right post from Catamo's cross on the right on 43 minutes before Pepo saw his shot from inside the area deflected behind for a corner in stoppage time.

Mozambique made a bright start to the second half, with Catamo flashing a shot just wide of the right post from range on 48 minutes after fashioning space for himself with a sharp turn on the ball, while Witi curled a free-kick over the bar from inside the D six minutes later.

The woodwork then came to the visitors' rescue on 58 minutes as Bruno Langa latched onto a poor clearance and rattled the right post with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.

The Mambas' relentless pressure finally paid off on 73 minutes when Ratifo turned the ball home from close range following an exquisite cross from the left touchline.

But the King's Shield hit back just seven minutes later as substitute Mavuso brought a half clearance under control on the edge of the box and curled a delightful shot into the top left corner of the net from 16 yards out.

Ratifo was presented with a late chance to win it for Mozambique, but he was unable to guide the ball on target after connecting with Infren Matola's brilliant cross from the right three minutes from time.

Mozambique (0) 1 (Ratifo 73')

Eswatini (0) 1 (Mavuso 80')

MOZAMBIQUE: I. Urrubal, I. Matola, Nene, Reinildo, B. Langa, Amadou, Pepo (Witi 46' Clesio 61'), G. Catamo, E. Pelembe (A. Amade 62'), G. Lourenco (Elias 81'), S. Ratifo.

ESWATINI: X. Gama, M. Manana, S. Silenge, L. Mkhonta, K. Thwala, J. Figuareido, M. Mkhontfo (S. Matse 60'), L. Matsenjwa (M. Gwebu 79'), B. Matsebula (N. Dlamini 59'), S. Gamedze (T. Mavuso 60'), A. Magagula (F. Mamba 70').