ETOILE RANKED 7TH IN AFRICA

MBABANE - Eswatini CAF envoys Young Buffaloes opponents, Etoile du Sahel, have moved a place up in the club world rankings.

The ‘Pearl of the Coast’ as they are nicknamed are currently ranked 7th in Africa and 184 in the world with 1 731 points. The rankings were released on Sunday. 

According to footballdatabase.com, the Tunisian side were ranked 8th in Africa in the January rankings.

The improved rankings came about after the Tunisian side recorded a 2-1 win over Olympique Beja on Sunday. Etoile will play Buffaloes during a playoff CAF Confederation Cup match in a two-legged encounter. 

On Sunday, they will cross swords at Mavuso Sports Centre with the army side. Kickoff time is 3pm. 

The second leg will be played on February 21 in Tunis at the Taieb Mhiri Stadium and kickoff time is 5pm.

Interestingly, there is only one team in Eswatini that features in the rankings. That is Mbabane Swallows who are ranked 426 in Africa and 2 139 in the world with 1 243.

Leading

Leading in the rankings are Egypt’s Al Ahly coached by former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane. They are leading with 1 731 points. Sundowns are 5th while Orlando Pirates are 18 with Kaizer Chiefs on 28th spot.

Reached for comment, Buffaloes Captain Nhlanhla Gwebu said despite their improved standings they could cause an upset. 

“The rankings prove that they are one of the best in Africa. There is no doubt they are the best in Africa and we are aware that they have won the CAF Confederation Cup. We can cause an upset, the fact that we matched AS Vita pound for pound. We just have to be positive and we can get good results on Sunday,” he said.

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