CAF Confederation Cup: Royal Leopards dominate at home to advance

Eswatini cup champions Royal Leopard put on a dazzling display on Friday to confirm their place in the final round of qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup. Leopards crushed Namibian side Young African FC by a 5-0 score to advance 7-0 on aggregate.

The home side put on an entertaining display for supporters and stakeholders at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba. After a relatively even start to the match, Leopards asserted their dominance with a deadly passing combination to set up Simanga Masangane’s 20th minute opener.

Young African, now down 0-3 in the aggregate score by this point, began to crumble under the pressure caused by the hosts. More dynamic team movement led to a second goal before the half hour mark when Sikhumbuzo Magagula finished from a cross to double the lead.

From then on, the visitors lost all confidence and Leopards proceeded to pick apart their opponents in the second half. Three goals in an eleven minute span in the second half completed the dominant victory with Masangane completing his brace while Thokozane Dlamini and Fanelo Tsabedze also added goals.

Royal Leopards now await the winner of the tie between Congolese favorites AS Maniema Union and Mauritian club Pamplemousses SC, who will play the first leg of their clash on Saturday at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.