Home | Sports | ‘BIRDS’ BIGGEST CAF MATCH IN HISTORY

‘BIRDS’ BIGGEST CAF MATCH IN HISTORY

15/08/2018 08:30:00 BY LWAZI DLAMINI

Font size:

Sports Editor

If Mbabane Swallows loyalists believe their club is the most supported in the country, especially in recent years, then they will certainly meet their match in the ‘Zegalacticos’ of the Copper-belt, who have fans even as far as Colombia.

Zesco United made history in mid 2010 when they became the first Zambian team to have the largest overseas fan base. According to a respected Zambian journalist friend, Kalumania Kalumania, the ‘Team Ya Ziko’ as Zesco are also affectionately known, have a large, growing community of Colombian fans with numerous official supporters’ clubs in Columbia and several parts of Latin America. Zesco are one of the highest ranked African teams in terms of annual replica kit overseas sale, with the Colombian fans being by far the largest market. The team, founded in 1974, also owns the US $65 million Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

The gulf in class off-the-fields, in that aspect is huge but on the pitch, which matters most, the Swallows of Mbabane have an edge as they sit right on top of the Zambians three points ahead in Group D log standings. The ‘Birds’ have had more appearances than the Zambian side in the premium inter-club competition, even though the Zlatko Krmpotic-coached side have already gone as far as the semi-finals, a feat they achieved in the 2016 edition.
The two sides settled for a 1-all draw back on May 5 at Ndola’s 40 000 capacity Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

History will, however, count for nothing on Saturday. It’s a completely new game but for Swallows, it is a must-win clash as they have a chance of qualifying for the quarter-final stage. It’s a make or break; kill or be killed kind of clash in particular as near challengers, Angola’s Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto lie in waiting at the artistic 11 de Novembro Stadium in Luanda on August 28, in what could potentially be six-pointer clash to decide who joins Tunisia’s Etoile Sportivo du Sahel as runner-up in the quarter-final stage.

Interestingly, due to Saturday’s game, Zesco United were initially supposed to play a Swallows namesake in Zambia’s New Monze Swallows’ on Saturday in a bid to consolidate the three point lead they are currently enjoying on the summit of the Zambia’s MTN Super League.
Last Saturday’s energy-sapping goalless draw with Napsa Stars leaves them with a mountain to climb against a Mbabane Swallows side that recently defended their Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup crown in the sweetest way imaginable, castrating bitter rivals, Highlanders 2-1 in the final on August 5 at Somhlolo National Stadium. Nevertheless, it would be folly of Swallows to read too much on the Zambian team’s last performance against Napsa Stars, as a week before they did annihilate another top side, Zanaco FC 3-0. All things considered, Saturday’s 3pm clash at Mavuso Sports Centre is Swallows’ biggest game since they made their debut in CAF Inter-club competition during the then Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1987.

THE PERMUTATIONS

IF SWALLOWS WIN...
If Swallows pull off a great win on Saturday, they will live to see another day in the dream of qualifying for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, irrespective of how Angola’s Desportivo 1 de Agosto perform against already qualified Tunisia’s Etoile Sportivo du Sahel in game that will kick-off at 8pm at the Olympique de Sousse Stadium. A win will give Swallows a fighting chance in what would certainly be a ‘final’ against the Angolans away at 11 Novembro Stadium on August 28. It’s a must-win game for Swallows on Saturday!