Zondo explains how Royal AM can overcome Mbabane Highlanders

Royal AM co-coach Khabo Zondo has identified what his troops need to do to avoid defeat when they make their much-anticipated CAF Confederation Cup debut in eSwatini on Sunday afternoon (3pm).

The KwaZulu-Natal side tackle Swazi giants Mbabane Highlanders in the first leg of the first preliminary round at Somhlolo National Stadium in Mbabane.

Thwihli Thwahla will become the second KZN side to compete at continental level after AmaZulu made their maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League last year.

Zondo believes Royal have a huge task ahead as they are debutants and head into the clash on the back of a defeat in the DStv Premiership against Sekhukhune United.

WHAT ROYAL AM NEED TO DO TO WIN…

However, the Royal tactician says they have the edge as they are playing against a side that regards them as a big team because of their status in the Premier Soccer League, insisting that they will need players to have the right attitude.

“I take that as a challenging task for us, one, it is our first time, and we are coming from a loss,” Zondo told the media ahead of the Highlanders clash.

“We going to face a team that regards us that plays in a better league. Those players will want to show us one or two that they can play, and if we are going to take them for granted, they will beat us.

“We need to have the right attitude, they will have their fans, and we need to do well, especially in our striking force,” he added.

Meanwhile, FARPost understands that the Royal’s management has been doing a lot of research about the Confed Cup. The recent visit by coach Pitso Mosimane with his team was also part of that research to prepare themselves for the CAF journey.

Zondo, who has the CAF A license as per FARPost sources, is expected to lead the team against Highlanders as his co-coach Dan Malesela doesn’t have the required coaching badge to coach at CAF level.

According to CAF’s new regulations, coaches without CAF A, CAF Pro and Uefa Pro Licence are allowed to sit on the bench, as a result, Malesela will watch from the stands.