The New Saints (TNS) don make history as dem don become di first Welsh team wey go enter di group stage for European competition. Dem manager, Craig Harrison, dey proud of di team even though dem lose dia opening match against Fiorentina for Florence.
Harrison tok say e no too dey normal, as dem lose 2-0 to di competition’s beaten finalists of di past two seasons, but dia performance dey show say dem deserve to reach that level.
“I dey extremely proud of di players, staff, and everybody wey dey work with di club. We don prove say we fit match big football clubs like Fiorentina,” na wetin Harrison tok.
TNS go face Astana next, before dem go meet teams like Shamrock Rovers from Ireland, Djurgardens from Sweden, Panathinaikos from Greece, and finally Celje from Slovenia.
Di journey to Florence no easy at all, after dem don play 86 qualifying ties over 27 years. No be small thing as di chairman, Mike Harris, dey share joy with fans wey travel come watch di match.
Even fans from rival Welsh league sides follow comot to support dem as flagbearers. Harrison dey happy to represent Wales well for European football.
Striker Declan McManus, wey don play for Aberdeen, mention say di match dey show dat di Welsh league stand fit compete shelle with bigger leagues.
Dem aim to get enough points for di group and reach di knockout stage. Di performance for Florence give dem confidence say dem fit achieve dis dream. McManus sef tok say even though dere dey many hard games, dis was di hardest on paper, and yet dem perform well.
TNS don dey improve with every European match wey dem play. Even though dem get knocked out of Champions League by Ferencvaros, dem learn plenty from di experience. Dis time, dem approach di game differently.
Dem bin set dia mind make sure dem no disgrace demself against Fiorentina, and di performance show say dem dey learn.
For di next match, dia opponents go dey cautious as dem sabi say TNS no dey just come participate, but to show say dem dey belong among di big boys.
