Times Of Swaziland: ‘BUFFS’ LEAVE 3 COVID-19+ PLAYERS BEHIND

‘BUFFS’ LEAVE 3 COVID-19+ PLAYERS BEHIND
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BY SANELE JELE on 04/01/2021 00:24:00


LOBAMBA – The country’s CAF Champions League envoys Young Buffaloes have
been dealt a major blow after three of their players could not travel with the
DR Congo-bound squad.
The three players (names deliberately withheld for ethical reasons) have tested
positive for COVID-19.
This was confirmed by Buffaloes CEO Sandile Gwebu during the farewell function
held at Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre at Lobamba
yesterday.
On top of the three players that did not travel with the squad are three more
players who are injured and these are Ali Matse, Sifiso Mazibuko and Wandile
‘Skosh’ Shabangu.
depleted
“We are leaving with a depleted squad because three of our players have tested
positive for coronavirus.
“Things are not easy but we had registered 25 players for CAF competitions of
which we believe are equally good to carry the task at hand,” said Gwebu.
He declined to reveal the names of the players that tested positive.
The army side left yesterday via the road to Johannesburg, where they will
connect a flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport to Addis Ababa
International Airport.
From Ethiopia they will connect another flight that will arrive at noon at
Ndjili International Airport.
They will then travel by road to the nearest hotel which is near the 80
000-seater Stade des Martyrs stadium.
They will head back home on Friday after the Wednesday second leg clash. Kickoff
time is 4:30pm.
Buffaloes played to a 2-all draw at Mavuso Sports Centre in the first leg of the
CAF Champions league played on December 22, 2020.
Buffaloes need to win or draw 3-3 to advance to the group stages of the
richly-sponsored Total tournament.
entitled
If they reach the group stages, they are entitled to E8.4 million but if they
lose, they will have to play in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Interestingly, two AS Vita players also tested positive and had been quarantined
here in Eswatini before they left yesterday for DR Congo.