Home | Sports | AS SWALLOWS BEGIN CONTINENTAL JOURNEY: ‘BIRDS’ NEWEST IMPORTS MISS OUT

AS SWALLOWS BEGIN CONTINENTAL JOURNEY: ‘BIRDS’ NEWEST IMPORTS MISS OUT

15/08/2024 08:44:00 Nimrod Hlophe

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MBABANE – CAF Champions League envoys Mbabane Swallows were dealt a blow, as their Zambian duo could not be registered for the first preliminary round.

Former Muza Football Club (FC) striker Bobo Angwenga and midfielder Grace ‘Skomota’ Mosengo were unable to be registered for the initial phase of the competition. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) closed registration on July 20, with the second preliminary round registration opened on the following day. This pair was not part of the 18 players who left yesterday morning to face Clube Ferroviário da Beira in the first leg of the TotalEnergies Champions League. The game is billed for Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, tomorrow at 7pm.

A fortnight ago, this publication revealed that Angwenga and Mosengo had signed on the dotted line for the red and white outfit. Latest reports confirmed by the team indicated that the players could not be registered, as they are yet to obtain their work permits. Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge ‘Bhambo’ Ngwenya confirmed this yesterday. He said the team was at an advanced stage of obtaining their permits. Worth noting is that imports are required to have work permits to be eligible to play.

Registration

If ‘Birds’ survive the first stage of the tournament, the players will be featured in the second phase. Registration for this level closes on Friday, August 31. They have been part of Caleb ‘No-Nonsense’ Ngwenya’s pre-season training. Despite this hurdle, Coach Ngwenya was confident about his squad and declared their readiness for the challenge tomorrow. On another note, the capital city giants also unveiled five stars who are already in their nest ahead of the CAF campaign. These included four midfielders and a single defender.

The centre-back is Kingsley Kwakyi countryman, Karim Madja. Both players hail from Ghana. Another Ghanaian is former Mbabane Highlanders’ defensive midfielder Emmanuel Owusu. Owusu, however, could not travel with the club despite being the 19th player registered for interclub showpiece. He is still nursing an injury. Adding to the star-studded midfield were former Malanti Chiefs’ Given Lukhele and Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows’ Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula. Former Moneni Pirates and Wits University midfielder Biko Sibandze complete the list of the ‘Birds’ new unveiled signings.

Worth noting is that six players have exited the ‘Birds’ nest so far. They include MTN Premier League Player of the Season, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, who joined Nsingizini Hotspurs. ‘Birds’ fans’ favourite Felix Badenhorst joined Royal Leopard, while goalkeeper Qiniso Nyawo is now with Young Buffaloes. The other departures were all imports in Samba Orion, Albert Nkosana, and Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha.