By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows will be up against the big guns in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League.
The big guns in the African continent that have already secured spots in the biggest African club competition include South Africa’s giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns and Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy.
Orlando Pirates finished as runners-up in the 2023/24 DStv Premiership after their 1-1 draw against SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium, securing the CAF Champions League spot. They leapfroged Stellenbosch into second place with the point they earned.
Orlando Pirates will face Mamelodi Sundowns in the South Africa’s Nedbank Cup finals on June 1 at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Tickets to the game are already sold out.
Mbabane Swallows qualified for the CAF Champions after winning the 2023/ 24 MTN Premier League. Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy also secured their sport after being crowned the champions of the Botswana Super League.
Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy is played for by the National team, Sihlangu and former Green Mamba player Mxolisi Mkhontfo. Mkhontfo has won an elite league in two consecutive seasons after he was crowned champions with his former team, Green Mamba in the 2022/ 23 season.
Meanwhile, Nsingizini Hotspurs who finished third in the 2023/ 24 season if still trying to secure the spot of the CAF Confederations Cup after the withdrawal of Green Mamba who were won the Ingwenyama Cup, securing the spot The Correctional Service side also cited financial crises and withdrawing from participating in the tournament leaving the spot vacant for Nsingizini Hotspurs and Mbabane Highlanders who had also showed interest.
