‘BUFFS’ OUT TO OUTSMART ‘CLEVER BOYS’

MBABANE – Eswatini’s CAF Confederation Cup envoys Young Buffaloes’ bid to conquer Africa continues when they welcome South Africa’s premiership outfit Bidvest Wits at Mavuso Sports Centre today.

The race to the group stages intensifies, as today marks the second round first leg. It is the penultimate round before the group stages, where a ‘carrot’ of over E2 million will be up for grabs. Dominic Kunene’s men know that Wits are a tougher test as compared to preliminary round opponents Buildcon FC, who were wet behind their ears. 

The local outfit welcome back marksman Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze and burly forward Ndoda Mthethwa, who have been frustrated by injuries of late.  Grafter Siboniso ‘Gaxa’ Ngwenya is also expected to have fully recovered ahead of this afternoon’s outing. A lot will be expected from Dominic Kunene’s troops, as the nation wants the terrible record of Eswatini teams at Mavuso Sports Centre to come to an end. No Eswatini side have won an official international match in this venue in over 1 170 minutes of football. This is equivalent to 13 straight matches. This should propel the country’s side to strive to change the unwanted record.

Wits, on the other hand, may be hoping to avenge the defeat they suffered during the last visit in the country to play in the same competition. They were eliminated on penalties by Royal Leopard after the game had ended 3-all on aggregate after both legs back on February 28, 2015. Each side had won the home leg by 3-0.

Gavin Hunt boasts talent and experience. Dependable skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo is among players in the spotlight for the ‘Clever Boys’ alongside the impressive duo of Thabang Monare and Buhle Mkhwanazi.

It will be their first match of the 2019/20 CAF campaign after avoiding playing in the preliminary round.  They hope to grind the win on the road to make things easier during the return match at home on September 27.  There is also pride at stake, so they cannot be complacent if they are serious about protecting their 20th rank in Africa.

It is operation fill up Mavuso Sports Centre, as the entire Eswatini nation is expected to rally behind ‘Amathole Ezinyathi.’  There are no MTN Premier League games today in respect of the CAF assignment.

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