Online Reporter
Noel Munzabwa in ESWATINI
SIMBA Bhora arrived in Eswatini late yesterday ready to finish the job in Sunday’s Champions League preliminary round second leg against Nsingizini Hotspurs at Somhlolo National Stadium.
After keeping fans and the media guessing all day, the Shamva side crossed Oshoek Border in the evening, ending a punishing road trip that started in Gaborone, cut through Rustenburg and wound its way across Mpumalanga.
Cool showers welcomed them on arrival.
Under police escort, Joel Luphahla’s men slipped quietly to an undisclosed hotel along the Mbabane-Manzini corridor.
Whether they would go for a full session or simply shake off the long
ride remained a secret.
The squad carried the confident look of a team protecting a 1-0 first-leg advantage from Francistown, Botswana.
Spirits were high, the players convinced there would be no nasty surprises at the stadium named after Eswatini’s legendary King Sobhuza I, known as Somhlolo, the man of wonders.
Luphahla himself knows the ground well.
Back in 2004, he inspired a Warriors 5-0 demolition there, even laying on the third goal.
Defender Blessing Moyo also carries good memories, having featured in the Young Warriors’ in a 2-0 win over Sihlangu in 2014 and a 2-2 draw with his age-mates later on.
Before leaving Botswana, midfield workhorse Never Tigere reminded everyone the mission was not complete.
“Work is not yet complete and we’re still training hard focusing on the second leg,” he said.
“We appeal to the fans who make it to the stadium on Sunday to play their part.
“For us we want to soldier on until we win this game.”
Sunday’s showdown is drawing huge attention in Eswatini, helped by a record gate fee of 80 emalangeni (about US$5).
Normally fans pay 60 for a triple-header, 50 for a double and 30 for a single match, leaving many wondering what drove the steep increase.
For Simba Bhora, those questions are background noise.
The team knows only one thing matters, finishing what they started and keeping their Champions League dream alive.
Mathew Masinge