Primeiro de Agosto … 2
Dago 23rd, 39th
Green Mamba ……….. 0
(Agosto won 4-0 on aggregate to advance to the second preliminary round)
MBABANE – The country’s Total Energies CAF Confederation Cup envoys Green Mamba left Angola reeling in pain as Dago Tshibamba’s brace rubbed salt into their wounds yesterday evening.
The match was staged at the 48 500-seater Estádio 11 de Novembro before a sizeable crowd. ‘Inyok’eluhlazane’ officials, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ntuthuko Dlamini, watched as his side crashed out of the competition.
Regardless, they boast a consolation of nearly E2 million for participating in the TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup. Prior to this match, the Angolan military club held a 2-0 advantage, but they wrapped up the tie with a 4-0 aggregate scoreline.
Reaching the group stages would have unlocked a jackpot of about E6.4 million in guaranteed prize money.
Green Mamba needed to win by at least three clear goals to qualify outright, while a two-goal victory would have sent the tie into extra time.
Several new signings who were ineligible for the competition missed the encounter, while veteran striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze and Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu were also unavailable through injury.
New signing Nhlanhla Ngwenya, Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo, Kwenzokuhle ‘Ndoye’ Khumalo and Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane were among those expected to inspire the comeback, while defender Sibongakonkhe Silenge faced the task of keeping Agosto’s attacking threat under control.
On the field of play, Agosto inflicted further pain as Dago Tshibamba opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, leaving goalkeeper Lindokuhle Manda rooted to the spot. As if that was not enough, he completed his brace in the 39th minute after receiving a good ball from Milton Candido, shattering Mthunzi Ginindza’s dream of advancing in his return season to the Correctional Services side’s technical team. Green Mamba’s defence, featuring Peter ‘Beast’ Dlamini, stood still as Manda slid late and failed to make a save.
Conversely, the likes of Ngwenya and Ndoye failed to find a breakthrough, exiting the competition without scoring a single goal. They tried everything in attack for an elusive equaliser, but the Agosto defence marshalled by Bonifacio Caetano held firm. Dating back to 2001, Green Mamba have never reached the group stages of CAF interclub competitions.
Agosto drew confidence from their continental experience, having previously competed in the Confederation Cup and reached the group stage in 2009 after dropping down from the Champions League.
The winners advance to the second preliminary round, where they will face either the Democratic Republic of Congo’s DC Virunga or Seychelles outfit P. Bazar Brothers.
Elsewhere, Nsingizini Hotspurs face Scottland in the decisive match of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round. 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 the South African powerhouse. Their match will be played at Somhlolo National Stadium tomorrow at 3pm.
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