PLAYING AWAY FROM HOME AFFECTS FANBASE – KWAKHE

MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows Captain Kwakhe Thwala has articulated that competing away from home has detrimental impact on their home support during the CAF Champions League.

Thwala expressed these sentiments in a pre-match interview held in Matola, Mozambique, on Friday. Swallows approach this encounter with a slender advantage, having secured a 1-0 victory against Clube Ferroviario da Beira on August 12 at Lucas Moripe Stadium. The two teams are set to clash once again at Lalgy Arena Stadium this afternoon in Mozambique.  
When asked how playing away from home influences their fan support, Thwala stated, “Playing away from home diminishes our fanbase numbers. If we were competing at home, we would enjoy greater backing from our supporters, but our numbers are constrained since we played in Pretoria. Despite being away, our fans did come out to support us, but we would undoubtedly have a larger turnout at our home venue.”  

He further emphasised that team spirit was running high ahead of the match: “We are fully prepared. We faced them in Pretoria and emerged victorious, but this game is an entirely different prospect, and we are ready for the challenge. They are a formidable opponent, and we are aware of their playing style; they prefer to build up from the back. We have analysed their strengths and we are prepared.”  Meanwhile, Swallows Coach Caleb Ngwenya stated that they aim to complete the job away from home. “Our preparations have been excellent, and we boast an injury-free squad. We are ready for the match and possess insight into their gameplay. This is a different encounter altogether; we recognise their strength and quality, and we have devised a strategy accordingly,” Ngwenya asserted.

He acknowledged the challenges posed by the second leg away from home: “We will strive to conclude the match decisively, even while playing away. It will not be easy, but we must battle until the final whistle.” Clube Ferroviario da Beira Coach Amade Faquira stated that the team has been diligently honing their skills in training to secure positive results. “We suffered a setback in our away game against Swallows, but that will not deter us. We are determined to improve and achieve a favourable outcome in this match,” Faquira remarked.  
He acknowledged that the loss was a significant obstacle to their aspirations of advancing to the next stage but emphasised that they would exert every effort to turn the tide in their favour.

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