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MBABANE – Eswatini international Junior ‘Shisa Gesi’ Magagula stands on the brink of a defining continental moment.
Magagula’s DR Congo top division outfit AS Maniema Union chase a place in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage on Sunday afternoon. The midfield maestro could take a significant step in his African football journey when the Congolese outfit host Angolan side Kabuscorp SC in the second preliminary round return leg, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm at Stade des Martyrs.
Maniema Union hold a commanding advantage after cruising to a 4-1 victory away from home in the first leg last weekend. They will be determined to protect that cushion and seal their progression to the next stage of the competition.
For Magagula, who joined the Congolese club in July on a three-year contract, qualification would mark a major milestone in his career as he continues to establish himself at his new home.
Maniema Union entered the second preliminary round after receiving a bye and will be keen to capitalise on the opportunity to advance further in Africa’s premier club competition.
Their tactician, Mauril Njoya, has made it clear that the outcome rests firmly in his players’ hands.
“It will be for us to play a confirmation match,” he said in a statement shared on the club’s official social media platforms.
The fixture comes at a time when another Eswatini international’s continental campaign has come to an abrupt end.
On Friday, October 23, full-back Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala and Zimbabwean champions Scottland were eliminated from the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after suffering a dramatic 3-0 defeat to Angolan giants Petro de Luanda at Estádio 11 de Novembro.
Petro overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit to progress 3-2 on aggregate, with goals from Ruben, Jorge Pereira and Pedro Aparício completing their comeback. Thwala was named in Norman Mapeza’s starting XI, but Scottland could not withstand the hosts’ second-half pressure as their continental ambitions were brought to an abrupt halt. The Zimbabwean outfit will now turn their attention to domestic football, where they are five points behind league leaders Hardrock, with a game in hand.
Unlike Thwala, Magagula still has an opportunity to extend his continental adventure. A disciplined performance from Maniema Union today could bring the Eswatini midfielder to the group stage and offer him a platform to compete among Africa’s elite clubs.