‘BIRDS’ OUT TO FINISH OFF BANTU FC

MBABANE – It all looks so easy for Mbabane Swallows now – all they need is to score a goal and prevent Bantu FC from scoring.

The first leg scoreline was 4-2 in Lesotho over a week ago and now it’s the second leg at Swallows’ preying ground, the Somhlolo National Stadium.
With Swazi Mobile ensuring Swazis go to the stadium to rally behind the Umkhonto KaShaka as they take on the tricky Bantu FC at 4pm today, a sizeable crowd is expected at the stadium. At least 1 000 fans will gain free entry courtesy of the cellphone company Swazi Mobile, while those outside this bracket will pay E40 entry fee at the gate.

It looks over and done on paper but if you saw Bantu FC in Setsoto Stadium, then you know this game is far from over. Bantu FC are a capable team with a lot of flair in its game which caused all sorts of trouble for Swallows’ defence in the away leg. Moreover, Bantu had missed their star striker Litsepe due to suspension as he had a red card back in 2014 in the same tournament.

He is expected to form a deadly combination upfront with the skilful winger Peter Maloisane. This time, he is available and will be the surprise package for the red and white outfit. However, all odds favour Swallows in this clash – Bantu will have to score five times and keep their rivals off their goal to progress or rather force the match into penalties by winning 4-2 as well, a tall order this will be at the country’s soccer Mecca.

It will be in form stars Felix Badenhorst, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze and Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko who will be expected to lead the home team’s attack and ensure they score more goals for the Swazi crowd to have more to celebrate after 90 minutes. If the job is completed by the Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati-coached team as expected, then Zambia’s Zanaco or Gambia’s Armed Forces will be next on March 6-7 before the second leg a week later. Zanaco are already 3-0 up after the home first leg and will look to cement their win and advance to the first round. If both Swallows and Zanaco meet, it will be a repeat of the 2015 clash which Zanaco won on 3-2 aggregate, all five goals from the first leg in Zambia before a goalless draw at Somhlolo National Stadium.

One thing is certain about today’s clash, Bantu FC’s coach James Madidilane has a mammoth task at hand and he knows but it’s good that he oozes confidence, which makes up for a thriller. Swallows win here and the next round, they are into the group stages of the Total CAF Champions League.

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