‘BIRDS’ MUST BUILD ON CAF EXPERIENCE

My dearest readers ... Seven trophies in two seasons; first team in Swaziland to reach a CAF inter-club competition group stages under the new format (when Mbabane Highlanders reached the quarter-finals of the then Africa Cup Winners Cup under the old easier format in 1986, the prize of a loaf of bread was still a modest E1); coming within a whisker of the knockout stages, a commanding 4-2 win over a South African side, Platinum Stars, Mbabane Swallows are without a shadow of doubt, the toast of Swazi football.

Love or hate them, they have come of age and helped raise the country’s flag sky high on the African map, letting Platinum Stars off the hook in the second leg on Saturday night at the modest Moruleng Stadium by throwing away a 2-0 lead, notwithstanding. It was glaring lack of game management issue by the technical bench of playing an open game away while leading 2-0 with 20 minutes remaining.

Nonetheless, the irrepressible Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati’s charges have taken the Swazi nation through an emotional ride filled with unforgettable momentous wins, wondrous goals, individual brilliance, a deflating home draw and miserable defeats. It has been edge-on-the seat stuff all the way – home and away. It’s a great pity it has all ended in tears and at a huge cost. But the experienced gained, the lessons learnt, proud name made around the African continent and the honour of being the first and only Swazi team to reach the Group stages of any CAF inter-club competition – and rated among the best 32 teams in Africa – far outweighs the negatives. It is priceless. It is immeasurable. It cannot be equated to anything Swazi football has seen since the country gained Independence on September 6, 1968 and affiliated to both CAF and FIFA in 1976. It is an achievement that could take another 20 years to replicate and it could very well be, with all due respect to the rest of the teams in the country, be achieved by the self-same Swallows in the near future.

After Saturday night’s 2-all draw with Platinum Stars, perhaps it is time to take stock and reflect for the club boss, Gamedze, whose passion for the game of football and winning at all costs borders on the insanity. Gamedze should be commended for the building blocks he has put up at Swallows, which under his stewardship has won 19 trophies in a space of just a little over a decade. His team has put Swaziland, not only firmly on the African football map, but the red and white glamour side has dominated dinner table conversations throughout the continent which augurs well for country’s brand image.
Swallows is a great team whose meteoric rise has been underpinned by a stable management, experienced players and a honey-throated bunch of supporters who hardly engage in unsporting behaviour. This is the cornerstone from which the club’s success has been built. The rest of the teams, especially the two other big teams, Manzini Wanderers and arch rivals; Mbabane Highlanders would do well to take a leaf from this sound management and clear chain of command at these oldest sides.

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