Eswatini did themselves proud in their first match outside of Africa as they held Malta to a 1-1 draw on Thursday in their international friendly.
The Swazis had been invited to play on the Mediterranean island as Malta prepare for a decisive UEFA Nations League Group D clash against Gibraltar and proved themselves worthy opponents in a 1-1 draw at the Ta’Qali Stadium.
Eswatini proved to be a tough nut to crack as their athletic superiority caused all sorts of problems for Malta, even though they had to play with a player less for almost an hour following the dismissal of Gift Gamedze.
After the break, the Maltese improved, and the introduction of all their regular players gave the team a lift, but they still struggled to create chances and had to settle for a draw.
Eswatini looked the more threatening side early on, particularly with their fast break and might have gone ahead in a swift counter-attack after five minutes when Thubelihle Mavuso saw his angled drive finish wide.
In the 16th minute, the visitors threatened again when Neliswa Dlamini served Chippa United striker Justice Figuareido, who fired just over.
Malta’s first opportunity came on 27 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick and Matthew Guillaumier’s inswinger was pushed away by goalkeeper Sibusiso Dlamini.
On the half-hour mark, Eswatini suffered a blow when Gamedze was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Keyon Ewurum but despite being a player down, it was the visitors who kept threatening and Malta goalkeeper James Sissons denied Figuareido by tipping his effort onto the post.
But Eswatini broke through in the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half they embarked on another quick transition with Figuareido serving Philani Mkhontfo who rifled home.
Four changes for Malta helped their cause after the break and one minute into the second half play when Paul Mbong found Basil Tuma, who headed home with his first touch.
Eswatini almost regained their lead in the 74th minute when, in another swift raid, Mkhontfo was denied by a brilliant save from Sissons.
Three minutes later, Zammit Lonardelli connected to Teddy Teuma’s free-kick but his header was tipped over by Dlamini.