‘BIRDS’ CAN WIN IN TUNISIA – SA’S ACORNBUSH COACH

LOBAMBA – Visiting South Africa’s Acornbush assistant coach Siphamandla Mathaba is convinced Mbabane Swallows have the verve to stop highly-rated CS Sfaxien.

Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati’s troops will visit the Tunisian giants in the opening round of the group stages on Saturday at Taieb Mhiri Stadium at 3pm (4pm local time). Reacting to yesterday’s 2-all draw in a practice match at Somhlolo National Stadium, Mathaba urged Swallows to stand their ground to foil the north African giants. “They (Swallows) are playing very well. They keep the ball very well. I don’t see them losing easily in Tunisia.

“They just need to be careful when they start at the back. Sometimes they start when the opposition is there. When they transit from defence to attack, they have to be quick to avoid being suffocated. They will be attacked in Tunisia,” said Mathaba, who led the team in the absence of controversial head coach, MacDonald Makhubedu.

Makhubedu raised eyebrows when he blasted Kaizer Chiefs ‘for not coming to the party’ in their showdown in a cup match last month.
Acornbush United are South Africa’s highly-rated third-tier outfit, who have qualified to play in the National First Division play-offs on June 5.

They caused an upset in the Nedbank Cup by beating top division side, Cape Town City, 1-0 in the last 32 before losing 1-2 to Kaizer Chiefs in the next round.

Meanwhile, scorers for the capital city giants in yesterday’s warm-up match were lanky forward, Sandile Hlatshwako, who exquisitely looped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper, as well as full-back, Sifiso ‘Tyson’ Magagula, who converted a Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze corner kick. Acornbush responded through Bonginkosi Dladla and Monde Mphambaniso.

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