I’M OVER THE MOON – ‘BIRDS’ MCCREESH

Sports Editor
(At Nkoloma Stadium)
In Lusaka, Zambia
Courtesy of Swazi MTN

LUSAKA – He was given a rare opportunity, grabbed it with both hands in the TOTAL CAF Champions League and rewarded not only his coach but the entire Swazi nation with a historic away win against Zambia’s Zanaco.
This was the first win by any Swazi side away in Zambia in football history.

“I am over the moon because it is a privilege to play for Mbabane Swallows.”
These were the emotional words of Mbabane Swallows midfielder, Richard McCreesh who netted the winning goal in the 2-1 historic victory over Zambia’s Zanaco FC in an enthralling 22nd TOTAL CAF Champions League clash here on Wednesday afternoon.

warming

Almost close to tears, McCreesh related how warming the bench and even not making it to the Top 16 has been excruciatingly painful.
“I told myself my time will come and I just needed to be patient. In the end, to play for Swallows is a privilege and they have helped my career a lot. This goal I scored today (Wednesday) will be in my memory for a long time to come,” said the baby-faced ‘assassin’ who ‘killed’ the ‘Bankers of Zambia’ with an 86th minute well struck goal.

McCreesh, who had been thrown into the deep end playing the anchor-man role in the absence of industrious midfielder, Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu took to the task like a fish to water.
exert
“I am a more defensive player now, thanks to the coaches who have been teaching me how to exert myself in the game. In Under-20 squad I play behind the strikers but now I feel much better in this role,” he said after rewarding coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati for his faith in him in a big stage and very competitive match when he had not seen much action even at home but his best friend and teammate Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala who he got promoted with from club’s under-20s.
McCreesh said he was confident Swallows will win the second leg tie.

“Zanaco are not bad side. In fact they are tactically good but we were all out for a win today.

deserved

Meanwhile, former Swallows’ Zambian head coach, Christopher Tembo believes the red and white giants deserved the 2-1 win over his home team, Zanaco because they were tactically disciplined.
Tembo, who was one of the interested spectators in the modest 5 000 capacity Nkoloma Stadium said Swallows could go far in the CAF Champions League.

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