[ad_1]
Matola – Football is all about scoring goals; whether it is won by skill or courage, victory always depends on scoring goals.
That is exactly what Mbabane Swallows achieved, as Karim Maja scored to secure a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate win in the first leg of the African Champions League at the Lucas Moripe Stadium a week ago. Caleb Ngwenya’s side finished the job in Mozambique, drawing with Bella Ferroviario to face South African heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns. The Swallows now have just 180 minutes left to collect the €12.3 million bonus. They will receive this windfall if they make it past Sundowns and advance to the group stage of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) premier club competition. However, the road ahead for the Swallows will not be easy as they will face the mighty Mamelodi Sundowns, winners of the 2016 CAF Champions League. The second preliminary round of the CAF major tournament is scheduled for September 13-15, with the second round to follow a week later.
One-sided
The match was one-sided from the outset, with the Swallows defending hard throughout the 90 minutes. The home side was desperate to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Pretoria, but the Swallows defended with determination. The hosts had six shots on goal in the first half but none of them found the back of the net. Kingsley Kwakki played an important role in defence by clearing dangerous dead balls, while Karim Maja also showed his mettle by saving a must-goal from Manujo in the 30th minute. Goalkeeper Sandanezwe Matabela also showed his agility by blocking a close-range volley from Joao 10 minutes before half-time. The hosts tried hard to break the deadlock but the visitors managed to hold on to the goal until the referee blew the whistle for half-time. After the resumption of play, Swallows came close to scoring but Ayanda Gandelela’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Simplex in the 60th minute.
pressure
Mozambique put relentless pressure on Swaziland but captain Kwakhe Thwala and his team-mates did a great job ensuring the scoreline remained the same. The hosts almost had a goal in the dying seconds but Gustavo wasted a free kick just outside the box when the simplest option was to break through the wall and fire the ball into the top corner. Swallows again managed to clear the ball and before anyone knew it the final whistle blew and the Swallows away fans cheered.
More than 500 fans – who far outnumbered the home crowd – chanted “Maswaiswai sinitsandza nonkhe”. Officials including Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane and former president Bishop Bheki Lukhele also joined in the celebrations, while bewildered Mozambicans marveled at the spectacle.
[ad_2]
Source link
