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‘BIRDS’ EYE TOP SPOT

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MBABANE – CAF Champions League envoys Mbabane Swallows have their sights firmly set at the summit of the charts when they resume their campaign in Africa’s premier club competition today.


Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati’s troops welcome Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel in a Group D top-of-the-table clash at Mavuso Sports Centre at 3pm. Both teams are tied on four points after two rounds of matches and the visitors are only ahead on goals scored.
There were fears of instability at Swallows in weeks leading up to the game.


The dust seems to have settled and the ‘Beautiful Birds’ have to remain calm in face of adversity in their bid to conquer the continent.
A win will steer the capital city giants closer to the knockout stage, especially if Zesco and Augusto Primeiro, who have a point apiece, settle for a draw in the other Group D fixture to be played simultaneously today. The two top teams after round six make the cut.
The Swallows coach will be able to unleash the best from his arsenal, as only winger Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze is the only player who has been cleared out of the team and has joined South Africa’s Polokwane City.


It is no secret that Etoile will not be pushovers, as they are used to playing at this stage. They were champions in 2007 and runners-up in 2004 and 2005. They won the second-tier tournament styled CAF Confederation Cup twice.


Etoile also had a fair share of negative publicity ahead of the game. Former player and current assistant coach Chiheb Ellili has missed the trip to Eswatini and has been snubbing the team training sessions since last Friday. He intends to resign immediately.


It is a first meeting between the sides, with the visitors favourites, but Swallows will definitely show resilience, as they are no longer considered cannon fodder in CAF matches. The experience of the likes Felix Badenhorst, Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko and Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, among others will come in handy.

 

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