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IT’S A WIN OR BUST FOR ‘BIRDS’

14/08/2018 01:52:00 BY Lwazi's Pandora's Boxs

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My dearest readers ... Quickly now, Mbabane Swallows’ recent CAF Champions League record does not make for riveting reading.
As fiery scribe, Bheki Makhubu would write, the record, is as dirty as a coal miner’s underwear in January!

Two consecutive defeats to Tunisian top side, Etoile Sportivo du Sahel – including a mind-numbing 3-0 defeat at home on July 17 – culminating to a 5-0 aggregate loss, has left Swallows chances of qualifying for the quarter-final stage of CAF’s premium inter-club competition on a life-support system.

Lest we forget, the ‘Birds’ began the campaign on May 5 so assuredly with a credible away 1-1 draw in Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium when Simanga Shongwe came in and scored the equaliser.

Then on the memorable Tuesday afternoon of May 15, a goal-poacher’s strike by lanky forward, Felix Badenhorst saw Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati’s battalions cruise to 1-0 win over Angola’s Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto at Mavuso Sports Centre in jersey 11, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze’s last game in the famed red and white colours of the ‘Birds’. Everything was on track. The ‘Birds’ looked on course to fortify the second spot and the talk of quarter-final qualification was abuzz.

Then between May 16 to July 17, the ‘Birds’ nest became something akin to Nigeria’s Big Brother’s house. Like the Slay Queens who thrive on the Three C’s – cash, cellphone and car, the ‘Birds flourished on their own Three C’s – chaos, crisis and confusion. Some players signed pre-contracts with South Africa’s National First Division sides – even signing with two different teams at the same time in the case of striker, Sandile Hlatshwako. Jersey number 11 joined Polokwane City in the ABSA Premiership.

A comatose Swallows, having not played one single preparatory game worth the tag, brought a knife to a gun’s fight against the experienced Tunisian side, Etoile Sportivo du Sahel. Like a rabbit in a science lab during a tutorial, the ‘Birds’ were pried open, marinated and sliced to pieces by the ‘L’Etoile’ (The Star) of Tunisia in a manner that almost called for the intervention of the Animal welfare society. A 3-0 pasting doesn’t even tell half of the incredible story of the dominance of Chiheb Ellil’s charges on the fateful afternoon at the modest Mavuso Sports Centre.
Something had to give in.

Swallows released Felix Badenhorst, first choice goalkeeper, Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza, left full back, Sanele Mkhweli as the club management tried to restore order and direction. It did not win them a lot of admirers especially in the middle of CAF Champions League campaign but it had to be done. A 2-0 loss followed away at the Stade Olympique de Sousse Stadium as the Tunisian side consolidated the top spot. When Angola’s Desportivo 1 de Agosto beat Zesco United at the same time at the iconic 11 de Novembro Stadium in Luanda with a late winner it meant Swallows lost their second spot to the Angolans who have now accumulated five points to the ‘Birds’ four. With two games to play, a point separating the two sides (Swallows and Desportivo Agosto), this is penultimate period. That’s why Saturday’s game against Zesco United is a win or bust for Swallows. Anything less than a win will leave the Swallows of Mbabane on a wing and prayer – literally. To be brutally honest, the dream of qualifying for the quarter-final stage of the CAF premium inter-club competition will remain just that – a dream.
By the time Swallows finishes playing against Zesco United, the Tunisian side, Etoile Sportivo du Sahel will be two hours away from taking on their Angolan counterparts, Desportivo 1 de Agosto at the artistic Stade Olympique de Sousse stadium.
For Swallows, no doubt, Saturday’s game is a make or break; kill or be killed kind of clash where there will be no second chances. Given the away record at this moment, Swallows cannot rely on winning away in the 11 Novembro Stadium in Luanda on August 28. They have to win Saturday’s home match and hope the Angolans lose or at least play a draw.
Partly it is still in their hands. They have to do what is expected of them – win Saturday’s match against the Zambians. It is very important that coach, Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati and his technical bench get their tactics right and not commit the same mistakes that were glaring against the Tunisians at home.
I am told by those whose football opinion I take seriously that Swallows played well away in Tunisia and this gives me hope that they could just snatch a very crucial win on Saturday. Their performance in winning the Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup were glimpses of what they are capable of even after losing five key players.
They have a resilience that seems to come like second nature to them, often derided as mere luck by their detractors. This Swallows side never know when a cause is lost. Former Mbabane Citizen midfielder, Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze is the new jersey number 11, in performance and appearance, in the belly of the park. Cameroonian anchor man Jean Claude Amougou may be dreadlocked like Papy Kapamba but he is a finer version of the Congolese as his passes are perfect in every dimension. Kapamba, for all his huge work ethic, would struggle to pass salt across the dinner table!
So Swallows has plugged those holes. Upfront, the energetic Aladeon Kola gives them the cutting edge with his off-the-ball-runs, skills and shooting ability. He is everything striker Sandile Hlatshwako is not. Yet for good measure, Hlatshwako’s confidence is on upward trajectory mobility after netting a brace to dehorn Mbabane Highlanders in the Charity Cup final. For all his numerous frailties, his goal conversation ratio is one of the best in the country.
If Swallows goalkeeper, Sandanezwe Mathabela continues his fine form, ably assisted by the workaholic Nigerian defender Stanley Umukoro in defence, Swallows will be able to shut the door at the back while searching for those important goals that will bring them back into quarter-final contention.
To achieve this, the ‘Birds’ need the support of the nation. This column, the State of-the-Nation-Sports-Address (SONSA) wants to appeal to the soccer loving emaSwati to put club allegiances aside and rally behind Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati and his boys. They need the support of everyone as they are on the threshold of greatness. They can do us proud again. Maswaiswasi sinitsandza nonkhe ...