By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The wait is over for Mbabane Swallows as the time to face Mozambique’s Clube Ferroviario da Beira in the CAF Champions League preliminary round has arrived.
The two sides will clash in the first leg match at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa on Friday evening, kick-off 7pm. The winner between the two sides will then face South Africa’s giants Mamelodi Sundowns in the second round preliminary with the winner from there going for the group stages.
Swallows last made an appearance in the Confederations of African Football (CAF) inter-club competitions in 2019.
The team has experienced players who had been on this journey before and they include goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela and Sifiso Mabila. Other players who are set to leave a mark include Leon Manyisa, Kwakhe Thwala, Nhlanhla Ngwenya, Sizolwethu Shabalala, Ayanda Gadlela and Siphosethu Mabilisa among others.
Swallows once made the country proud, as they reached the group stages of both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup.
Meanwhile, CAF Confederations Cup envoys Nsingizini Hotspurs had the feel of the Moses Mabhida Stadium were they will be hosting South Africa’s Stellenbosch in the first leg of the preliminary round.
The teams had its morning training session on Friday morning at the venue. The match between the two sides will be played on Saturday (August 17, 2024), kickoff 3pm.
Nsingizini Hotspurs left the country on Thursday morning for Durban. What came as good news for the Shiselweni based side is that the second leg match billed for August 24 will be played at the same venue other than the home of Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
