El Shaddai Sadomba Hits Hat-Trick as Zimbabwe U-17 Thrash Eswatini 5-1 in COSAFA Cup Opener

Zimbabwe’s U-17 national team, known as the Young Warriors, made a strong statement in their opening match at the 2024 COSAFA Cup in South Africa with a resounding 5-1 victory over Eswatini. The standout performer of the match was El Shaddai Sadomba, who scored a brilliant hat-trick, propelling his side to a dominant win.

The match got off to a flying start with Zimbabwe’s versatile midfielder, Tadiwa Chakuchichi, opening the scoring in the 27th minute, giving the Young Warriors an early lead. The goal was a well-executed finish that put Zimbabwe in control, and they didn’t look back from there.

Just minutes after Chakuchichi’s opener, Sadomba doubled Zimbabwe’s advantage with a clinical strike, making it 2-0. The talented forward, who is the son of Dynamos legend Edward Sadomba, was far from finished. He added two more goals before halftime, completing his hat-trick and giving Zimbabwe a commanding 4-0 lead at the break.

In the second half, Valentine Macheka, who was later named Player of the Match, sealed the victory with a fifth goal for Zimbabwe, making it 5-0. Eswatini managed to pull one back through Menzi Dlamini, but it was little more than a consolation as Zimbabwe maintained their dominance throughout the match.

The Young Warriors’ impressive performance has set the tone for the rest of the tournament. They will now look ahead to their next group match against Zambia on December 7, followed by a showdown with Namibia on December 9. The top two teams from the tournament will automatically qualify for the next U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), adding extra motivation for Zimbabwe’s young squad.

With Sadomba’s hat-trick and a strong team display, Zimbabwe’s U-17s have shown they are ready to make a mark in this prestigious competition. Fans will be hoping for more of the same as they chase a spot in the upcoming AFCON tournament.