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WE’RE NOT HERE TO FIGHT - AZAM COACH

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NGWENYA – After keeping everyone guessing, Azam FC finally arrived yesterday.


The Tanzania giants came by road from Pretoria, entering the country through the Ngwenya Border Gate at exactly 5:30pm yesterday.
“We respect Swallows because they are a very good team. The first leg was very tough but we’re here to play good football and not to fight,” said the head coach Aristica Cioaba at the border after being questioned about the first leg incidents that saw Swallows’ technical bench allegedly assaulted by police at the Azam Complex where they won 1-0 last Sunday.


He said they were here to play football and coming with the FIFA Fair Play spirit.
“If we win we’ll be okay but if Swallows win it’s still okay. Swallows are a good side that gave us a tough time at home,” he said.
However, he said they had been preparing for the game and looking forward to it this afternoon. He added that they were convinced they did all they could to ensure they do well today.
He was further asked what kind of refereeing he expected today given that in the first leg, the Benin referees appeared biased against Swallows. He said a penalty should have been given to the red and white side in that match otherwise today was a new match and he expected good football.


Swallows head coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati welcomed Azam but said they would not read too much into the coach’s comments.
“We have done our homework and we will go there to do what is required of us. I wish my players show me the spirit I saw in training and yes, like him, I’m also expecting a great game of football,” he said.
The team was then escorted to its hotel in Ezulwini by the Royal Swaziland Police (RSP).


They will also not have pre-training at the Somhlolo National Stadium but will only get to feel the artificial turf during warm-up for the match scheduled to kick off at 3:30pm today.
Fans will part with E40 each to watch the game which is a must-win for Swallows.
If Swallows win here, they will advance to the playoff match that determines if they qualify for the group stage for the first time in their CAF history.
Azam come here with a 1-0 advantage, which means Swallows must score at least twice and not concede a goal.

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