By Nomalungelo Phiri | 2025-03-30

SOMHLOLO National Stadium is set to take centre stage once again, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) preparing to reassess its suitability for hosting international matches after the much-anticipated Ingwenyama Cup final.

The iconic stadium, which was banned from hosting international games in 2019 due to subpar facilities, has undergone an extensive facelift costing an estimated E90 million. The government and football stakeholders have pulled out all the stops in a bid to restore the stadium to its former glory, with high hopes that CAF will finally give it the green light for top-tier continental competitions.

Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, is confident that the upgrades made to the stadium will impress the CAF inspectors.

Speaking during a stadium tour last week, where he was accompanied by members of the Ingwenyama Cup committee and key football stakeholders, Nzima emphasised the importance of the upcoming final in showcasing the stadium’s new features.
“This Ingwenyama Cup will serve as a critical evaluation of the stadium’s new features. We will write to CAF for an assessment after these finals,” Nzima declared.

The minister detailed the major improvements, which include a retractable tunnel, a backup generator, a massive digital screen, improved stadium lights and a state-of-the-art media tribune.

According to Nzima, these enhancements align with CAF’s stringent requirements for hosting international fixtures.
“The major upgrades, are now in place,” he stated proudly.
For Eswatini’s football scene, CAF’s approval would be a game-changer.

A positive reassessment would mean the return of international fixtures to the country, boosting not just the sport but also the local economy.

Fans and stakeholders alike are waiting with bated breath, hoping that the Ingwenyama Cup final will be the final piece of the puzzle in proving Somhlolo’s readiness for the grand stage once again.

share story          

Post Your Comments Below

---