MBABANE – Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies Coach Mpendulo Mawelela has two CAF Champions League rivals mapped out, but admits Malawi’s Silver Strikers are still a complete mystery.
Nsingizini departed for Gaborone, Botswana, yesterday ahead of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regional qualifying tournament, which runs from August 20–29.
The Eswatini champions have been drawn in a group featuring South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, Mozambique’s Costa do Sol and Malawi’s Silver Strikers.
Mawelela believes having faced Sundowns and Costa do Sol previously gives his charges valuable insight ahead of the tournament, but they have little information on Silver Strikers.
“We have prepared well and we will represent the country well. We have played against Sundowns and Costa do Sol, but the third opponent, Malawi, is a closed book to us,” said Mawelela.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their Malawian opponents, the coach is confident that his side can compete for positive results.
“We promise that we will come back with positive results,” he added.
Hotspurs will be hoping to build on their strong domestic form as they take their campaign to the continental stage.
The team’s travelling delegation comprises 28 members – 21 players and seven officials – with Eswatini Football Association (EFA) representative Aaron Katalala Mavimbela serving as delegation leader.
The EFA has also provided the team with a bus for their stay in Botswana, with the vehicle set to remain with the squad for the duration of its campaign.
The tournament provides Hotspurs with an opportunity to test themselves against some of the region’s leading women’s clubs, with the ultimate objective of progressing further in the CAF Women’s Champions League pathway.
