BIRDS’ FACE 12-TIME CHAMPS LEAGUE PARTICIPANTS

MBABANE – They are barely 23 years old but Mbabane Swallows Champions League opponents APR of Rwanda have participated in the continental competition more than the local giants.

They have taken part in the prestigious continental competition 12 times.
They have also won their country’s domestic league an impressive 14 times since being established in 1993.
The local giants, on the other hand, are 68 years old having been established by intellectual JJ Nquku in 1948.

APR are regular participants in the CAF Champions League even though the Mbabane giants can find solace in the fact that they (APR) have only gone as far as the first round of the prestigious continental competition.
APR stands for Armée Patriotique Rwandaise Football Club.

They are based in Kigali. The club plays their home games at Amahoro Stadium. Despite their short history, they are Rwanda’s leading football club and have won 14 Rwandan league titles and Rwandan Cup titles seven times and the CECAFA Clubs Cup in 2004, 2007 and 2010 after ending up as losing finalists in that competition in 1996 and 2000.

Swallows Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sibusiso Manana said they were giants in their own right and were not intimidated by the Rwandan side.
“As we speak, preparations are ongoing and I am positive that we will be ready for them come Sunday. We are not taking this game lightly but we are preparing for it earnestly. We know what the mandate is and for that reason, we want to do the country proud and hoist the country’s flag.
“We are no longer representing ourselves but the country so we know what that means,” he said.
He implored followers of the local game to rally behind the team on Sunday, assuring them that they would not be disappointed.

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