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TP MAZEMBE, AL-AHLY AWAIT ‘BIRDS’

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MBABANE – It will not be easy for Mbabane Swallows in the CAF Champions League group stages on Wednesday.


The capital city giants, who have continued to rise in continental football since reaching the group stages in the CAF Confederation Cup last year, are likely to face TP Mazembe of DRC, Al-Ahly of Egypt, and Étoile du Sahel of Tunisia in one of the four groups to be decided on Wednesday during the draw.


Mamelodi Sundowns, who were due to confirm their qualification yesterday afternoon against Rayon Sport of Rwanda, who held them to a barren draw away, could be the other side seeded in the pot 1 during the draw.


They are among the top four ranked teams in the tournament in the past five years spanning from 2012 to 2016 as stated in the format outlined by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). TP Mazembe have accumulated the most points in both CAF club competitions since 2012 and are followed by eight-time African champions Al-Ahly of Egypt who decimated Gabon’s Mouanon on a 9-1 aggregate scoreline. 


The club’s ranking was incepted in 2000 by CAF when choosing the team of the century.
The present scenario, therefore, means that Mbabane Swallows would be in pot 4 during the draw alongside other minnows like group stages rookies; Township Rollers of Botswana, KCCA of Uganda and Horoya F.C of Guinea.



Just like in the CAF Confederation Cup last year, Swallows would be the least ranked team in the group that they will be drawn into, with either Al-Ahly, TP Mazembe, Waydad Casablanca, Esperance or Mamelodi Sundowns being the  top five ranked sides.


There could be a possibility of facing former Felix Badenhorst’s side AS Vita of DRC if they dodge TP Mazembe from pot 1. The latter were expected to seal their qualification yesterday at home against Moroccan side Difaa El Jadidi who they had beaten 1-0 away. 

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