MBABANE – Eswatini’s envoys in the upcoming CAF interclub competitions have discovered their opponents following a tricky preliminary round draw.
The fixtures were officially revealed yesterday during the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup draw held at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The first-leg encounters are scheduled for September 4–6, with the return fixtures taking place from September 11–13.
The continental ties coincide with the 2026/27 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, slated for August 28 to September 6. MTN Premier League champions Nsingizini Hotspurs face familiar foes in Zimbabwean outfit Scottland FC.
The two sides previously met in a friendly match at Somhlolo National Stadium, shortly after former Nsingizini defender Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala joined the ambitious side, dubbed ‘The Mamelodi Sundowns of Zimbabwe’.
Mandla Qhogi’s charges boast valuable experience in the continent’s flagship tournament after reaching the second preliminary round last season, where they were eliminated by Tanzanian powerhouse Simba SC. By contrast, the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions are making their maiden appearance in Africa’s premier club competition. Nsingizini will play the first leg away from home. Should ‘Insingizi Yezulu’ progress, they will face the winner between Sierra Leone’s Star Sport A and Gambia’s Medina United.
Meanwhile, ‘Inyok’eluhlazane’, as Green Mamba are affectionately known, begin their CAF Confederation Cup quest away to Angolan heavyweights Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto in the first preliminary round.
The Angolans are no strangers to Eswatini opposition, having notably crossed paths with Mbabane Swallows during the 2018 CAF Champions League group stage. On that occasion, ‘Umkhonto KaShaka’ secured a memorable 1-0 victory at home, courtesy of a Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst strike, before Agosto claimed a 2-1 win in the return leg.
Primeiro de Agosto also carry pedigree in the Confederation Cup, having reached the group stage in 2009 after dropping down from the Champions League round of 16.
Should the Mthunzi Ginindza-led Green Mamba advance, they will battle the winner of the tie between DC Virunga (DR Congo) and P. Bazar Brothers (Seychelles) in the second preliminary round. Victors in the second preliminary round earn a lucrative spot in the group stages.
Green Mamba return to continental football after missing out last season due to budget constraints. Their last interclub appearance was in the 2023/24 Champions League.
Reacting to the draw, Green Mamba Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ntuthuko Dlamini conceded it was a tough assignment.
“It is a tricky draw, but we will prepare accordingly. Our sole focus is to advance to the next stage of the preliminary rounds,” Dlamini stated.
Sharing similar sentiments, Nsingizini Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mnotfo Dlamini noted that knowing their opponent brings clarity to their campaign.
“It is a hard draw, but our preparations are going well. Knowing who we are playing allows us to fine-tune our plan. We are fully aware of Kwakhe’s presence in their squad, but that does not intimidate us,” he said.
Elsewhere in the continent, DR Congo giants AS Maniema Union, who are home to former Royal Leopard talisman Junior ‘Shisa’ Magagula, received a first-round bye. They await the winner between Namibia’s UNAM FC and Kabuscorp of Angola.
CAF has confirmed a guaranteed participation fee of US$100 000 (approximately E1.63 million at current exchange rates) for teams competing in the preliminary stages.
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