Veteran winger Elias Pelembe and Ruzaigh Gamildien were on target as Royal AM beat Mbabane Highlanders 2-0 to progress to the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The 38-year-old produced a vicious drive outside the box that beat Highlanders goalkeeper Khayakwezwe Shabalala just before half-time. Gamildien scored the second just before the final whistle later in the match to seal the win.
The KwaZulu-Natal side will now face Zesco United of Zambia in the second preliminary round next month.
The score could have been more for Royal AM but Pelembe, Mxolisi Macuphu, Thabo Matlaba and Lesvin Stoffels all missed good chances.
Royal AM had no choice but to take the game to the opposition as the first leg had finished goalless at Somhlolo Stadium last weekend.
They knew that a score draw would see them out of the competition but a win was what they needed to proceed to the next stage of the competition.
The KwaZulu-Natal side was without coach Dan Malesela, who iDiski Times can confirm has resigned at his accord earlier this week.
Abram Nteo was all alone in the technical area, calling the shots as Khabo Zondo was in the stands, because Zondo – just like Malesela – doesn’t have a CAF A license to sit on the bench. Nteo was also in charge all alone in the first leg.
Highlanders came to Mzansi spotting a few familiar faces. They are coached by Sly Mosala, who was previously at University of Pretoria and Free State Stars.
The Eswatini club also had Tshwanelo Bereng, who previously played for Chippa United and Black Leopards. Their knowledge of knowing Royal AM still did not help.
Confirmed: Malesela Not At Royal AM Game
