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MBABANE – An early bird catches the juiciest worm.
The above adage sounds true for Mbabane Highlanders who started preparations for the busy season ahead as they will be playing in the second-tier of Africa’s inter-club competition.
The black and white capital giants will be representing the country in the 2023 TOTALEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, after finishing the 2022/23 MTN Premier League season as runners-up to champions Royal Leopard.
In the absence of the domestic cup, EswatiniBank, which carries a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup, the league’s second best then become the country’s envoy to Africa’s second-tier football.
The Chief Ally Kgomongwe managed side will also be participating in the season opener, the 2022 Bible Cup scheduled to be played on July 30, 2022, at the Mavuso Sports Centre. The Bible Cup, which is sponsored by the Bible Society to the tune of E300 000 will feature, Mbabane Highlanders, Manzini Wanderers, Moneni Pirates and Denver Sundowns.
Humiliating
The first three editions were won by Manzini Wanderers and it was last staged in 2019, when the hub giants mauled Denver Sundowns by a humiliating score of 5-0.
‘Inkunzi emnyama’ Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mandla ‘Spikiri’ Madonsela revealed that the Saloetse ‘Sly’ Mosala charges commenced their pre-season preparations yesterday. “We had our first training session yesterday, even though we’ve had some few players missing it but as the week progresses we are hopeful that the numbers will increase,” Madonsela said.
He also said the players were taken through their paces under the watchful eyes of the former Free State Stars assistant coach and they had one session which was in the morning.
He further said that starting from today the team would train in the morning and in the afternoon. It is worth mentioning that the Black Bull have four players with the national team, Sihlangu are currently away in South Africa for the Council of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) Cup. They playing against Senegal in the quarterfinals today at the King Zwelithini Stadium. Kick-off time is 2pm.