GLORY BECKONS FOR SWALLOWS

Mbabane Swallows vs Zanaco FC at Somhlolo National Stadium (3pm)

MBABANE – The country’s CAF Champions League envoys Mbabane Swallows invade Somhlolo National Stadium in a bid to pass what will be their toughest career test.

The capital city giants are 90 minutes away from rewriting the history books by becoming the first local side to qualify for the group stages of the continent’s premier club competition – Total CAF Champions League. They do not need motivation, as a win will further guarantee them a E6.6 million ‘carrot.’

Boasting a 2-1 win from the reverse fixture, which was played on March 7; keeping the back door shut will be enough to propel the ‘Beautiful Birds’ to the group stages for the first time. To be put to the test will be Swallows’ mental strength after losing to Bantu FC of Lesotho by 3-1 in the last CAF outing at Somhlolo National Stadium. They are also expected to put behind them their disappointing exit in the SwaziBank Cup, in the quest to conquer for the country as a whole.

Zanaco, on the other hand, have their confidence levels still sky high if their comments on arrival on Thursday are anything to go by.”
“This is football; anything can happen in this game,” team secretary Jordan Malitu, had bellowed on arrival.
 The Zambians are in chase of a second straight appearance in the group stages after narrowly missing out on reaching the quarter-finals last year. They were in the ‘group of death’ alongside Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and Egypt’s Al Ahly. They were joint second with the latter, but missed out on a last eight berth on inferior goal difference.

 Striker Felix Nyaende, who missed a stoppage time penalty, has been dropped in the visiting squad alongside former Orlando Pirates midfielder Isaac Chansa. However, the visitors have maintained a core of the team that did duty at home. They include the pair of Charles Zulu and Ernest Mbewe, who proved a threat on the flanks. Also back to haunt the local side is Maisha Chavda, who scored the only goal for the Zambian outfit.

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