DAY OF RECKONING FOR ‘BIRDS’

MBABANE – Make or break; do or die. These are some of the expressions that can best describe Mbabane Swallows’ decisive Group D Total CAF Champions League fixture away at Club Desportivo of Angola. The message from the capital city giants’ loyalists and the entire nation is loud and clear – win at all costs.

It is not entirely in the hands of Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati’s men, but a win will be enough if Zesco fail to beat Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia, who are away in Zambia.
Swallows are only two points shy of the qualification spot and winning against the second-placed Etoile will bring them back into the picture. The only win Swallows celebrated in the group stages was against today’s opponents. The game ended 1-0 in favour of Swallows at Mavuso Sports Centre, courtesy of  the now departed Felix Badenhorst’s strike.

However, Agosto still pose a serious, as they boast a flawless record at home and they are the only team in the group to have avoided defeat against unbeaten log leaders Etoile.  The Angolans have played in Africa’s club competition 11 times. Like Mbabane Swallows, they are yet to go beyond this stage.

Swallows may be parading a depleted squad without injured forwards Simanga Shongwe and Sandile Hlatshwako as well as unregistered grafter Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze, but they still have enough ammunition from their arsenal to do the required job. The likes of Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, Richard McCreesh and Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze can ensure the pendulum swings in their favour.

Their mental strength will also be put to the test, as Club Desportivo will want to use the 12th man to intimidate them. The Estadio 11 de Novembro Stadium has a capacity of 48 500 and supporters will access the venue at reduced prices. Reports suggest entry fee is only equivalent to E26.50.

After a three-game winless streak, a win will be comforting to their loyalists, even if Zesco do the unthinkable at home. Coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati does not only have to ensure his talisman Aladeon Kola brings his scoring boots, but will pray for the defence to tighten the backdoor. In the last outing during the shock 0-3 loss to Zesco, goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela looked lost like an octopus in a garage, while the entire defence was jittery.
The away record so far in the group stages brings a glimmer of hope. Swallows held Zesco by a 1-all draw in Zambia, before dying with their boots on in the 2-0 loss in Tunisia. The worst defeats (3-0) have been suffered at home.
On paper, this is a mammoth task against the fast improving opposition, but anything is possible as the home team are equally under pressure.

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