Swaziland club Mbabane Swallows are on the verge of creating a major Orange CAF Champions League upset this weekend by eliminating Zambian outfit Nkana. Goals from Zimbabwean Kudzanayi Matanda and Felix Badenhorst gave the unfancied ‘Birds’ a 2-0 cushion after the first leg of a preliminary tie.
And Zambia-born Swallows coach Christopher Tembo says they will “definitely not” allow 1990 runners-up Nkana back into contention.
“We will not surrender a two-goal advantage,” was his defiant message to opponents with a far more impressive record in the premier African club football competition. Apart from losing a final to Algerians JS Kabylie after a penalty shootout, Nkana have reached the semi-finals five times and the quarter-finals three times in 12 previous appearances.
Swallows’ four other entries all ended in preliminary exits, but two goals within five minutes during the second half have offered hope of a dramatic change in fortunes. Tembo, who quit Zambia to join Swallows only last month, added a note of caution ahead of a highlight of the 24-fixture weekend schedule. “Nkana forced us into some mistakes and it is essential we correct them. We must continue to work hard having laid good first-leg foundations.”
A double boost for Swallows is that strikers Sabelo Ndzinisa and Ghana-born Mike Mohammed are fit after missing the first encounter at Somhlolo Stadium last weekend.
Back in the Champions League after a 12-year absence, Nkana are projecting a brave front with coach Masauso Mwale insisting the defeat can be overturned. “It is possible to wipe out the first-leg deficit provided we eliminate those defensive lapses of concentration that cost us dearly in Swaziland.
“The second leg promises to be a different ball game with my team playing on a pitch they are familiar with,” said Mwale.
‘Nothing to lose’
Ugandans Kampala Capital City Authority and Liberians Barrack Young Controllers are other outsiders with realistic chances of making the last-32 stage. Kampala pair Herman Wasswa and Tony Odur struck within 60 seconds to inflict a shock 2-0 home loss on experienced Sudanese side El-Merrikh in Omdurman. But German coach Michael Kruger refuses to concede defeat although 1989 African Cup Winners Cup title-holders Merrikh must score at least twice away to survive.
“We have nothing to lose,” he said on arrival in the Ugandan capital, “and will do everything possible to get out of this difficult situation”. Champions League debutants Controllers restricted two-time champions Asante Kotoko to a 2-1 win in Ghana, where Kwabena Edusei converted two penalties. But Isaac Pupo netted off a free-kick to give Barrack a potentially crucial away goal against opponents who last conquered the continent 31 years ago.
Democratic Republic of Congo flag-bearers Vita, one of six former champions involved in preliminary ties, have been warned that a 3-1 lead over Kano Pillars will not be enough. The clubs clash in northern Nigeria with the home team lacking striker Bello Kofarmata, who got a first-leg red card. But fellow forward Abdul Haruna believes 2009 Champions League semi-finalists Pillars will come good at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. “Nobody must count Pillars out,” he stressed. “A 2-0 win will take us through but we will score even more goals and our aim is to reach the group stage.”
Courtesy of AFP
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Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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