Royal AM determined to bounce back strong

Royal AM are determined to bounce back strong when the DStv Premiership resumes next weekend.

The FIFA World Cup break was a timely blessing for the Durban side as it came after their taxing involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Thwihli Thwahla general manager Richard Makhoba said the team’s players used the break as an opportunity to recharge.

“The break did help us for the players to relax and refresh after the CAF Confederation Cup campaign,” Makhoba told FARPost.

“We believe that we are now well rested, and we are looking forward to re-start our campaign.”

He said the squad was determined to return to domestic league action and apply the lessons learnt in Africa.

ROYAL AM GAVE A GOOD ACCOUNT OF THEMSELVES

Royal AM gave a good account of themselves in their maiden appearance in the second-tier continental competition.

The Shaun Mkhize-owned team eliminated Mbabane Highlanders of Eswatini in the preliminary round 1-0 on aggregate.

Veteran Elias Pelembe scored the only goal of the game in the second leg played in Durban.

The first leg played in Eswatini had ended goalless.

Royal AM then progressed to the next stage, where they faced Zesco United from Zambia.

The DStv Premiership team stood its own, dismissing Zesco on away goal rule after an aggregate score of 1-1 over two legs.

Royal AM bowed out of the Confederation Cup after losing 3-0 over two legs to Mazembe.

The Durban-based side lost 2-0 in the first leg before succumbing to a home 1-0 loss in Durban in the reverse fixture.

Royal AM participated in the continental competition for the first time, thanks to their impressive third-place finish in the DStv Premiership the previous season.

Royal AM joined the top-flight league the previous season after buying Bloemfontein Celtic Premiership status.

They resume their league assignment by facing Cape Town City on December 30 2022.

Thwihli Thwahla are in position nine on the log table with 16 points from 12 games.

Up the table, defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns lead the standings with 28 points from 12 games.

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