Times Of Swaziland: ‘HATS OFF TO MY BRAVE PLAYERS’

‘HATS OFF TO MY BRAVE PLAYERS’
================================================================================
BY LWAZI DLAMINI on 08/03/2018 07:31:00


Sports Editor
(At Nkoloma Stadium)
In Lusaka, Zambia
Courtesy of Swazi MTN
LUSAKA – An elated Mbabane Swallows head coach, Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati ran
short of words in hailing his players after the historic 2-1 win over top
Zambian side, Zanaco FC in match number 57 of the 22nd Total CAF Champions
League here yesterday.
Vilakati, under immense pressure in recent weeks, after uncharacteristic
performances by his over-achieving squad, said the players deserved all the
plaudits for winning the first leg tie away from home.
“I can’t thank the players enough. They stuck to the game plan and went out
there to fight for the badge of the team. Hats off to my players,” Vilakati
told the members of the media packed in the stadium press room after the match.
Vilakati also paid tribute to the 70 travelling Swallows fans, who endured a
tiring 22-hour trip punctuated by a six-hour long wait at Ngunguluza border post
and spent the night inside the bus to honour the match.
“They deserve this win because they sacrificed a lot in coming here to support
the team. They really gave us a lot of support and confidence,” Vilakati said.
He admitted that Zanaco FC were tough opponents and really gave his side a run
for their money, in particular in the first half.
“We told ourselves if we could get a win it would be fine and a win would be a
bonus. First half they came hard on us, we absorbed the pressure but we went all
out in the second half. The pitch was muddy but we had to come up with a game
plan. We will not be complacent in the second half but this game is now history,
we have to focus on the next game,” Vilakati said.