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NO SA ’DOWNS, AL AHLY FOR ‘BIRDS’

01/06/2024 09:56:00 Ntombikayise Gwebu

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MBABANE - Glimmer of hope for MTN Premier League champions Mbabane Swallows in the CAF Champions League, as they will not face some of the top clubs in the early stages of the tournament.

Latest reports suggest that South Africa’s DStv Premiership champions will once again be exempted from participating in the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds. The Brazilians as Sundowns are fondly known have enjoyed the same benefit for at least three editions in this tournament. This is as per Kick-Off Magazine.

According to 2023/24 CAF Champions League rules and regulations, highest ranked clubs in the official rankings shall be exempted from the first preliminary round. Being exempted from the first qualifying round is based on the CAF five-year ranking, which gives clubs in the top tier a bye, allowing the lowly ranked teams an opportunity to compete among themselves.

More on the list include reigning TotalEnergies CAF Champions League champions Al Ahly of Egypt and Tunisia’s Esperance. The Egyptians have 12 crowns in this competition. Adding to this list are Angola’s Petro de Luanda and Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) TP Mazembe, who reached the quarter-finals in the previous season’s tournament. Mazembe are second best performers in the Champions League with five titles.

It had been six seasons since the capital city’s titans last graced the Champions League, where they historically reached its group stages. While awaiting confirmation of the full roster of potential adversaries, various continental teams have already qualified for the 2024/25 season’s showpiece.

However, if Swallows want to retain their record and reach the group stages of this tournament they must win against potential rivals Soweto’s giants Orlando Pirates and Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy, among other clubs.
Last season, Pirates were unexpectedly ousted by Botswana Premier League champions Jwaneng Galaxy during the first preliminary phase. This is where Sihlangu and former Green Mamba midfielder Mxolisi Mkhonto penned a deal this past season.

Also in the mix are Tanzania’s Young Africans, who were controversially knocked out by Sundowns in the quarter-finals this past season. The challenge could intensify for the Swallows if they outperform expectations, survive the preliminary round eliminations, and advance to the group stages, valued at approximately E10 million.
Some teams that Mbabane Swallows will avoid in CAF prelims:
1.     Al Ahly (Egypt)
2.     AS Far Rabat (Morocco)
3.     Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)
4.     Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
6.     Petro de Luanda (Angola)
7.     TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo)