Bantu FC coach James Madidilane is feeling buoyant ahead of their CAF Champions League clash  against Swaziland side Mbabane Swallows.

A Matšo Matebele will host the Swazi champions at Sesoto Stadium in a first leg of the first preliminary round match on February 11, 2018 with the return match slated for Mbabane on 21st February this year.

And Coach Madidilane has cast his sights on leading the club past the preliminary stage of the competition.

“Our target is to go beyond the first stage and we know it is not going to be easy as it going to take a lot of commitment from everyone involved,” he said.

“Our opponent’s standard of football is not that different from ours but we will not undermine them because they are obviously a good team. The fact that they won their league means they worked hard and so we have to respect them,” he added.

“We are starting at home and we just need to avoid conceding to save ourselves the pressure in the return fixture.”

A Matšo Matebele’s crashed out of the African Champions League in the preliminary stage in 2009 during their first appearance when the Mafeteng giants were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Gabon’s AS Mangasport.

“It is a fair draw for us instead of getting the likes of Al Ahly and TP Mazembe so I think we can do better. This is a chance for us to change things (and qualify for the next round) and I believe we can do that,” he concluded.

Should Bantu sail through this round they will face the winner between Zambia’s Zanaco and Gambia Armed Forces for a place in the last sixteen.