Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

EFA IN AFCON QUALIFIERS VENUE DILEMMA

By Melusi Mlotsa | 2020-09-30

SOCCER- ESWATINI Football Association could find itself in a dilemma of hosting Sihlangu Semnikati’s next 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers due to the lack of proper stadiums in the country.

According to a fixture released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Eswatini will host Congo on November 9, 2020 before welcoming Guinea Bissau on 22 March 2021.

Independent investigations conducted by the Eswatini Observer sports department indicate that the only stadium which currently meets CAF standards is the Mavuso Sports Centre which is also out of bounds.

The venue can currently not host any football matches since the stadium is adjacent to the Mavuso Trade Centre, which is also a quarantine centre for COVID-19 patients.

The country’s only football MeccaSomhlolo National Stadium was barred from hosting international games by CAF in 2018 due to the worsening conditions of the dressing rooms, toilets and dressing rooms roofing.

However the rehabilitation process of the national stadium is still ongoing.

The situation has left the EFA without a venue to host the upcoming international assignments.

EFA Chief Executive Officer Frederick Mngomezulu said only government was in a better position to comment on the issues, as it is the one owning the facilities.

“We are not qualified to talk on behalf of government since they own both stadiums. That is why even in the current situation, we will wait for government to give us the green light about the return of football. After that, that’s when we will start talking about many things pertaining football. As things stand, government hasn't pronounced what will happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Communications Officer Sibongiseni Zondi declined to comment on the matter.

“We are not responsible for hosting venues,” he said.

Meanwhile, the nation’s pride remains rooted in Group I without a point after losing their first two group fixtures against Guinea Bissau and Senegal.

share story