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EZULWINI – Giants Mbabane Highlanders had been keen on qualifying for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup this season but all has been in vain.
Three games before the season is over in Eswatini, Highlanders’ South African (SA) Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe has conceded that they have failed to achieve their ambition to play continental football again next year.
“We were so close to the CAF Champions League last season but Leopard beat us to it by a point. We tried our best again this season but it wasn’t good enough and we now have to shift our focus to next season. I’m happy though, that while we have failed to qualify for CAF, we still didn’t lose to Swallows.
“If anything, next season we’ll come back stronger and I can’t wait for the day we beat them 3-0. We just need more quality players in our team to win us the title because next season is all about that for me,” Kgomongwe said when interviewed from his house in Ezulwini.
He said while it remained unclear who would qualify, he believed Highlanders had to focus on completing the season on a high note, by winning the remaining three matches including the fixture against Moneni Pirates, who they face this Sunday and Manzini Wanderers in the last match.
Supporters
“One also has to thank the supporters of Highlanders and Swallows for showing great footballing spirit in the derby. It was a good day of football as we all watched, enjoyed and walked out of the stadium without any trouble. We promise an even bigger derby next season with more quality stars added,” Kgomongwe said.