LEOPARD THROUGH

MBABANE – They made it.

That is Royal leopard who follows at the footsteps of Mbabane Swallows by being the second team in the country to reach the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup. Despite the 2-1 defeat away yesterday at the Stade 1st November 1954 Stadium, Leopard made it through an away goal as the game aggregate was a 2-all draw.

lead

Leopard went to the second leg match with a 1-0 lead through a goal that was scored by Thabiso Mokenkoane on November 28, 2021 at Mavuso Sports Centre. The match was postponed three times on December 5, 2021, December 20, 2021, and January 27, 2022 as they faced travelling challenges going to Algeria. Leopard will now join Group B in the group stages that comprise South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, JS Saoura (Algeria) and Al Ittihad (Libya). They also stand to pocket about E7.4 million, a participation fee in the group stages. In yesterday’s game, JS Kabylie, who were favourite to win the match started it like a house on fire as they scored in the third minute through Yacouba Doumbia. That did not dampen the sprit of the police ensemble as they fought back and Junior Magagula equalised in the 16th minute.

The match went for the breather with the score at 1-1. With two minutes remaining before full-time, JS Kabylie were awarded a penalty and they converted but Leopard were able to hold for the five minutes added and there were victorious at the end. Leopard Public Relations Officer (PRO) Frank Hurube said the team had made the country proud. He said they were proud of the team and this was historical moment for both the team and the country. “Thanks to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) who made sure that we compete in the tournament. We also thank the nation for the support as they were right behind us,” he said.

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