Times Of Swaziland: LEOPARD THROUGH

LEOPARD THROUGH
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Ntokozo Magongo on 07/02/2022 08:26:00


MBABANE – They made it.
That is Royal leopard who follows at the footsteps of Mbabane Swallows by being
the second team in the country to reach the group stages of the CAF
Confederation Cup. Despite the 2-1 defeat away yesterday at the Stade 1st
November 1954 Stadium, Leopard made it through an away goal as the game
aggregate was a 2-all draw.
lead
Leopard went to the second leg match with a 1-0 lead through a goal that was
scored by Thabiso Mokenkoane on November 28, 2021 at Mavuso Sports Centre. The
match was postponed three times on December 5, 2021, December 20, 2021, and
January 27, 2022 as they faced travelling challenges going to Algeria. Leopard
will now join Group B in the group stages that comprise South Africa’s Orlando
Pirates, JS Saoura (Algeria) and Al Ittihad (Libya). They also stand to pocket
about E7.4 million, a participation fee in the group stages. In yesterday’s
game, JS Kabylie, who were favourite to win the match started it like a house on
fire as they scored in the third minute through Yacouba Doumbia. That did not
dampen the sprit of the police ensemble as they fought back and Junior Magagula
equalised in the 16th minute.
The match went for the breather with the score at 1-1. With two minutes
remaining before full-time, JS Kabylie were awarded a penalty and they converted
but Leopard were able to hold for the five minutes added and there were
victorious at the end. Leopard Public Relations Officer (PRO) Frank Hurube said
the team had made the country proud. He said they were proud of the team and
this was historical moment for both the team and the country. “Thanks to the
Eswatini Football Association (EFA) who made sure that we compete in the
tournament. We also thank the nation for the support as they were right behind
us,” he said.