Swazi Observer

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FAIR CAF DRAW FOR BIRDS

By Sibongiseni Zondi | 2018-03-22

SOCCER- MBABANE Swallows have all the chances of reaching the quarterfinals of CAF Champions League after being handed a fair draw for the group stages last night.

The 'Birds' have been drawn in the same group, D, with Zambian side Zesco United, Primero de Agosto of Angola and Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel. Swallows, who are the first Swazi side to reach this stage of the competition, found out their group stage opponents at a draw held at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt last night.

On Monday, Swallows General Manager Sandile 'Beyond 2000' Zwane told this publication that his side preferred being drawn with sides South of the Equator to avoid huge expenses associated with travelling to North Africa. Zwane and Swallows' wishes were realised last night as the 'Birds' were paired with two sides from the COSAFA region, Zesco and Primero.

Interviewed shortly after the draw, Zwane labelled the outcome as a fair one and said that his side had a 90 per cent chance of making the last eight of Africa's Premier club competition.

"It's a fair draw. We are happy that we have drawn two sides closer to home and that is important because it means we won't have to spend a lot on travelling. We have played against a Tunisian team before (CS Sfaxien in 2017's CAF Confederation Cup) so we hope that experience will help us for the match against Etoile. I believe that we have a 90 per cent chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, we just need to work hard," Zwane said. Meanwhile, Swallows coach Thabo Koki Vilakati, while happy with the draw, sounded a word of caution to his players.

"I think it's a fair draw also aided by the fact that we won't do many long distance trips which saves us a lot financially. We are almost at par with Zambia but beating Zanaco doesn't mean Zesco will now be a walk in the park. We need to be careful. I would say we have a 50/50 chance of reaching the quarter-finals. The chance is there, we just have to plan very well," Vilakati said.

Swallows will begin their group stage campaign on the first weekend of May and will need to finish in the top two positions in the group to earn a place in the last eight. CAF will confirm the dates and times at a later stage. The 'Birds' are already guaranteed about E6.6 million for reaching this stage of the competition and will receive over E1 million more if they make it to the quarter-finals.

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