Brockie faces mean Mazembe defence

Brockie plays for SuperSport United of South Africa, who are away to title-holders TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a top-of-the-table Group D showdown.

The sharpshooter, who was born in rugby stronghold Christchurch 29 years ago, has struck seven goals in eight matches for the Pretoria-based group debutants.

His goal haul includes a hat-trick in a qualifier against Barrack Young Controllers of Liberia and a brace in the group stage against Mounana of Gabon.

The goals against Mounana in Libreville came after sitting on the bench until the start of the second half in a match SuperSport won 5-3.

But goals will likely be harder to come by in southern Congolese mining city Lubumbashi as Mazembe have conceded only one in four Confederation Cup outings this season.

The defence includes current internationals Issama Mpeko of DR Congo and Salif Coulibaly of Mali, with first-choice Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo behind them.

After two clean sheets against JS Kabylie of Algeria in a play-off, and another against Mounana in a group opener, Mazembe conceded one in a 1-1 draw away to Horoya of Guinea.

“This will be our biggest game so far in the Confederation Cup,” admitted Brockie. “Mazembe are a physical side and play home matches on an artificial pitch, a surface we are unused to.

“We do have footage of them playing Mamelodi Sundowns (of South Africa) for the CAF Super Cup this year and that will assist our planning.

“Playing in front of a capacity crowd in Lubumbashi can be intimidating, but we are hopeful of coming back with at least a point,” said Brockie.

Mbabane Swallows are the first Swaziland club to reach the group stage, which was expanded this year from eight clubs to 16, with the prize money also increased significantly.

Surprise qualifiers for the mini-league phase at the expense of 2012 Confederation Cup winners AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville, Swallows have continued to impress.

Having restricted record three-time Confederation Cup title-holders CS Sfaxien to a 1-0 win in Tunisia, they bounced back with a 4-2 home triumph over Platinum Stars of South Africa.

All four Swazi goals came from Sabelo Ndzinisa, who was rejected by another South African club last year after trials.

Swallows enjoy home advantage again this weekend, against Group B leaders Mouloudia Alger of Algeria, whose lone African title came 41 years ago.

Rivers United of Nigeria hope to end a cycle of home victories in Group A when they tackle Kampala Capital City Authority in Uganda.

Group C has also produced four home wins and Zesco United of Zambia will want that trend to continue when they host Recreativo Libolo of Angola.