MBABANE – Angolan tactician Filipe Nzanza has promised an all-out assault at home, as they look to finish off Eswatini envoys Green Mamba this afternoon.
As per Clube Desportivo Primerio de Agosto official social media page, Nzanza is refusing to take their 2-0 first-leg advantage for granted, insisting the return match at the 11 de Novembro Stadium will start from scratch.
“The game starts at 0-0. We are going to play at home. We are going to go forward, to see if we can resolve the game already in the first half. The morale of the players is high, and we are going to do everything possible to qualify,” Nzanza said.
The decisive TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup preliminary-round second leg kicks off ata 48-500 seater Estadio 11 de Novembro from5pm, with Agosto holding a commanding an advantage after their 2-0 victory at Somhlolo National Stadium last Saturday.
Advancing to the next round can boost Green Mamba’s chances of hitting a jackpot.
Securing the needed result in Angola will mean they will be 180 minutes away from a windfall of about E6.4 million.
This is guaranteed prize money for every team reaching the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup. For just participation, the locals are guaranteed nearly a million.
Green Mamba must win by at least three clear goals to qualify outright, while a two-goal victory would send the tie into extra time.
The military club coach rotated his squad in their latest Girabola assignment against FC de Cabinda, which ended in a 1-1 draw, with the intention of keeping his key players fresh for the continental showdown.
‘Luma Nyoka’, as Green Mamba are affectionately known, face a huge challenge under coaches Dumisani ‘DU’ Makhanya and Mthunzi Ginindza who must find a way to overturn the deficit while dealing with several absentees. Ginindza expressed confidence that his troops can turn the tide during their farewell function on Tuesday.
“As Green Mamba, the players are ready for Friday’s (today) encounter. Having played the first leg, we saw how we conceded those goals and we know which players will win this game for us. We are proud that our squad is fit and we know how to tackle the second leg. We will ensure the Eswatini flag flies high,” he said.
Some new signings who are ineligible for the competition will miss the encounter, while veteran striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze and Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu are also unavailable through injury.
New signing Nhlanhla Ngwenya, Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo, Kwenzokuhle ‘Ndoye’ Khumalo and Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane will be among those expected to inspire the comeback, while defender Sibongakonkhe Silenge faces the task of helping keep Agosto’s attacking threat under control.
Agosto will draw confidence from their continental experience, having previously competed in the Confederation Cup and reached the group stage in 2009 after dropping into the competition from the Champions League.
For Green Mamba, though, history will count for little as they chase what would be a remarkable turnaround.
The winner will advance to the second preliminary round, where they will face either Democratic Republic of Congo’s DC Virunga or Seychelles outfit P. Bazar Brothers.
Only teams that survive that round will reach the group stage, leaving Green Mamba with everything to play for in what promises to be a stern test in Luanda.
Elsewhere, Nsingizini Hotspurs opponents in the CAF Champions League Scottland FC jetted in yesterday via King Mswati III International Airport for their return leg. They parade Eswatini defender Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala and Khama Billiat, among other renowned stars. Scottland FC earned the moniker, ‘The Mamelodi Sundowns of Zimbabwe’, primarily due to their massive financial muscle, aggressive transfer market strategy and high wage structure, mirror-imaging South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns. Their match will be played at Somhlolo National Stadium tomorrow at 3pm.
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