Swaziland shed a goal-shy FIFA World Cup qualifying record by trouncing Djibouti 6-0 on Friday in a first-round, first-leg 2018 qualifier.
Swaziland had scored just two goals in seven previous away preliminary games, averaging a goal every 5 hours, 15 minutes.
Not only did Swaziland struggle to score, they lost all seven matches, including six-goal thrashing by Angola and Togo.
However, after taking the lead in first-half stoppage-time in the tiny Horn of Africa state, Swaziland banged another five goals past goalkeeper Guedi Hassan during 24 second-half minutes.
The rout equaled the biggest away victory in a World Cup qualifier in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo winning 6-0 in Djibouti in a 2010 eliminator.
The Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia and Zambia have won World Cup qualifiers on the road by five goals.
Djibouti, the weakest national team in Africa, and the joint-second weakest in the world by rankings, survived until Mthunzi Mkhontfo scored on the stroke of halftime.
However, the floodgates opened at the El Hadj Hassan Gouled Stadium once Sabelo Ndzinisa doubled the lead for the Burning Spear 17 minutes into the second half.
Substitutes Muzi Dlamini and Sandile Hlatjwako struck within four minutes, veteran midfielder Tony Tsabedze got the fifth goal and Mxolisi Lukhele completed the blitz.
Somalia lost 2-0 at “home” to Niger after preparations that included physical and ball drills on a rough concrete surface in an Ethiopian hotel car park.
The match was staged at the Addis Ababa Stadium because of ongoing clashes between the Somali government and Islamic extremists groups.
China-based Moussa Maazou scored both of Niger’s goals, with his first coming after 58 minutes and his second just four minutes later from a penalty.
Somalia, seeking a first World Cup qualifying victory after three draws and six losses, created chances, but a lack of international experience told against them.
Gambia against Namibia in Bakau near Banjul seemed likely to be the closest of the three Friday qualifiers and so it proved, with the hosts fighting back to force a 1-1 draw.
Petrus Shitembi put Namibia ahead midway through the second half at the Independence Stadium.
Finland-based Demba Savage, one of many professionals playing for European clubs in the Gambia lineup, equalized 12 minutes from time.
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