Times Of Swaziland: SA’S E80K MBOMBELA STADIUM FOR LEOPARD

SA’S E80K MBOMBELA STADIUM FOR LEOPARD
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Ntokozo Magongo on 16/02/2022 08:20:00


MBABANE – Royal Leopard will have to pay close to E100 000 to host their
TOTALEnergies CAF Confederation Cup game against South Africa’s (SA) Orlando
Pirates on February 27.
This comes after the ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of
Mavuso Sports Centre to host the group B games at the venue which was banned
back in 2018, but both Mbabane Swallows and Leopard had been allowed to use it
with a special permit which did not cover the group stage for the former.
Swallows played in the CAF interclub tournaments in 2017 and 2018. CAF has again
declared Mavuso Sports Centre as a sub-standard venue that does not meet some of
its requirements.
According to an impeccable source, CAF stated that the pitch was in very poor
condition. They said the overall pitch condition must be improved and the
surface must be levelled. CAF added that the current dressing rooms are not up
to the required standard. The teams’ dressing rooms must be of high quality
standard with appropriate modern seats and lockers.
Somhlolo National Stadium is currently under renovations after it was also
banned by CAF for being in a poor state, including the dressing rooms.
Meanwhile, contrary to the national stadium, CAF allowed the duo of Leopard and
Young Buffaloes to host their preliminary games in the CAF Champions League and
the CAF Confederation Cup in Manzini. Leopard was last to host Algeria’s JS
Kabylie on November 28 at the venue in the play-off match they won 1-0 before
the 2-1 away defeat a fortnight ago.
Blow
Playing in SA is a blow to Leopard, as they will have to play behind closed
doors as supporters are still banned from attending football matches in that
country. The police ensemble may have to host all their three home games in the
group stage at the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadium based in Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Province. They may spend about E300 000 for all the matches. This could see them
play Pirates in SA twice if they are granted the venue, otherwise the Eswatini
Football Association (EFA) had also hinted Mozambique as another option.
A source close to the matter confirmed that the alternative for Leopard was to
host the match in the neighbouring country and the closest stadium to home was
the Mbombela Stadium. The source said the stadium charges between E70 000 to E80
000 to host an event of about four hours, including a football match.
“This time, CAF made it clear that it won’t be lenient and Leopard had to
seek an alternative venue outside that country that would meet the requirements.
The option they have now is the Mbombela Stadium and they will be seeking to
secure the venues for the match,” he said. Leopard will leave the country on
Thursday for Algeria where they are to play their first group game against JS
Soura. Their next game will be against Orlando Pirates on February 27. Leopard
Public Relations Officer Frank Hurube, said for now there is nothing official
but they were aware that they have been banned from playing at Mavuso Sports
Centre. He said this was causing stress to the club as they were also busy
preparing to leave the country for Algeria. EFA Marketing and Communications
Officer Muzi Radebe said they are still engaged with CAF over the matter. He
said negotiations were still ongoing over the matter and nothing had been
finalised.