BY VUYISWA MABILA
MBABANE – Eswatini’s Royal Leopard secured a 1–1 draw against AS Maniema Union in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, during the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round.
The result is particularly impressive, given the challenging atmosphere and the strength of Congolese opposition, as few teams manage to leave the country with a positive outcome.
The match at Stade des Martyrs saw AS Maniema Union take the lead in the 47th minute through Titan Mbala. Despite falling behind, Royal Leopards displayed resilience and tactical discipline, keeping the game alive. Their persistence was rewarded in the 84th minute when Thembisa Shabangu scored the equaliser, securing a vital away goal. The late strike not only levelled the score but also shifted momentum in favour of the Eswatini side.
Sifiso Nkalane Dlamini highlighted the importance of maintaining focus and defensive discipline ahead of the return leg, warning that conceding a goal at home could reset the aggregate advantage.
“Royal Leopards should not concede because once they do, it would be like starting the game afresh. A 1–1 draw away can still be a huge blow if we are not careful,” Dlamini said.
Club PRO Frank Hurube praised the team’s consistency and their ability to secure an away goal.
“We went to the DRC to play, and we came back home with a goal. We thank Emaswati for rallying behind us with their prayers. We are preparing for the second leg on Saturday and will update our fans on the match proceedings,” Hurube said.
The return leg is scheduled for Saturday, 25 October 2025, at Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba. With an away goal in hand, Royal Leopards are in a strong position and aim to build on their performance in Kinshasa. A solid home display could see them advance to the group stage, marking a historic achievement for both the club and Eswatini football.
Royal Leopards’ performance in Kinshasa demonstrated tactical acumen, determination, and resilience. As they prepare for the second leg, attention will be on Somhlolo, where the team will seek to leverage the home advantage and secure a positive result to progress further in the CAF Confederation Cup.
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