By Chris Dlamini
Fingers crossed.
That is the prevailing situation at TotalEnergies CAF Champions League representatives Mbabane Swallows. This follows injuries to some instrumental stars.
These are senior national team Sihlangu Semnikati captain in the recent COSAFA Cup tournament, Kwakhe Thwala, gifted midfielder Leon ‘Chuster’ Manyisa, Bongi Magagula and forward Ayanda Gadlela.
The latter notched 11 league goals last season, helping Swallows win the championship and qualify for the CAF Champions League 2024/25. If resumes next Friday for Swallows against Mozambique’s Ferroviaro da Beira.
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However, with the match scheduled for 7pm on Friday, August 16 which is the home leg for Swallows, players like Gadlela and Manyisa reportedly missed the Red Card For GBV Soccer Tournament in Witbank due to injury.
“We’re having players who our supporters didn’t see, but it’s only because of injury. These are Leon Manyisa and Ayanda Gadlela.
“We suffered further damage on Saturday as Bongi Magagula and Kwakhe Thwala also got injuries, yet we need them for the CAF matches,” Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge Ngwenya said.
He said the team medics were assessing the damage. Otherwise, those were the players racing against time to recover for first leg.
“Our team doctors are yet to advise on their progress. It’s still early to tell,” Ngwenya said.
Meanwhile, Swallows lost 1-0 to their elite rivals Nsingizini Hotspurs to surrender their Red Card For GBV Soccer Tournament title.
Both sides had played a semi-final match against South African third-tier teams in Middelburg and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in the preseason tournament.
Nsingizini edged Middelburg 2-1 while Swallows won 5-4 on penalties after playing 1-1 in regular time.
The winners then met in the final, which Nsingizini won.
The latter are preparing for a tough outing against South Africa’s Betway Premiership side Stellenbosch next Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban at 3pm.
