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Feb. 1, 2019

2 min read

Bantu: We’ll fight back

Bantu: We’ll fight back

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Econet premier league reigning champions Bantu FC are determined to play in the next season after they were bundled out of the CAF Confederation cup by Nigerian side Enugu Rangers 4-2 on aggregate. Bantu returned home last week Tuesday following unsuccessful trip in Nigeria where they lost 2-1 despite scoring first via Lehlohonolo Fothoane's strike in the 13th minute.

 “We are now even readier to return to Africa after learning one or two things in the continent. We have already made a commitment to win the domestic league again in order to qualify for the CAF Champions league next season,” vowed Bantu President John Leuta, describing Bantu’s defeat as a well-earned lesson. According to Leuta, after losing on away goal rule last season against eSwatini's Mbabane Swallows in the preliminary rounds, and now going a step closer to the group stages, they would like to at least reach the group stages next time. He said: “In order to reach the CAF Champions league, Bantu will have to reinforce their squad, especially up front and on the left and right back. After beating Botswana's Township Rollers, Bantu were drawn against a relatively tougher west African sides, AS Vita club from the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first round where they lost and had to play at the CAF Confederation Cup.  “We learned many things like professional approach where support from the government, national association and the business community is crucial.”
 

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Leuta cited an example in which Enugu Rangers players were promised 500 million Naira if they beat Bantu and qualify for the group stages. The Nigerians, he said, take continental competitions seriously and go all out to win their games, more especially when they play at home where they use their home advantage like the weather conditions and intimidating crowds to crash their opponents. Leuta observed that the game against Enugu Rangers was played in such a high pace that all the three goals were scored within the first 20 minutes after which the tempo of the game slowed down a bit. Bantu, founded in 1927, is the reigning league champions and were dropped into the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 2-5 on aggregate score-line against the Democratic Republic of Congo’s AS Vita Club. 

They had lost the first leg 4-1 away and drew the return leg 1-1. Bantu had eliminated Botswana's Township Rollers on penalties after both sides were tied 2-2 over two legs. The last 30 teams remaining were drawn against each other before the winners over the two legs to advance to the group stages.

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