Football

LOBAMBA – Royal Leopard have surged into the next round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup after ‘gunning down’ Namibia’s Young African 7-0 on aggregate following yesterday’s emphatic 5-0 win.

It was a real goal fest at Somhlolo National Stadium during the return leg of the first preliminary round qualifiers.

The Edwin ‘Pot O’ Gold’ Matsebula’s charges overwhelmingly defeated the opponents who had promised to slay them.

A heroic performance by brace hero, Simanga Masangane, along with single strikes from Junior Magagula, Thokozani ‘Thikithi’ Dlamini and Fanelo ‘Twin’ Tsabedze, ensured that Leopard clawed its way into the next stage in spectacular fashion.

The forceful performance was witnessed by Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini and the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police Vusi Manoma Masango, among others.

This 7-0 record score, seemingly ever by a local team in continental competitions, means the police side’s journey to a potential windfall continues. If they manage to navigate the murky waters in the next round, they will be within reach of the E6.8 million (US$400 000) incentive for reaching group stages.

‘Ingwe Mabalabala’ now await the winner between Mauritius’ Pamplemousses and Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Pamplemousses and Maniema Union fixture was forced to play outside the CAF schedule.  They will play their first leg this weekend and the following one.

Following that, the group stage finishers from the 2021/22 Confederation Cup season will face off against the winner of their two-legged clash over the weekends of October 17–19 and October 24–26.

Full article available in our publication.

Fanelo Tsabedze leads Royal Leopard’s celebrations with a gun-shooting gesture after netting the fifth in a 5-0 rout of Namibia’s Young African, sealing a 7-0 aggregate triumph in the CAF Confederation Cup at Somhlolo National Stadium. (Pic: Sanele Jele)