Times Of Swaziland: NO FANS FOR LEOPARD, PIRATES CAF CLASH

NO FANS FOR LEOPARD, PIRATES CAF CLASH
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Ntokozo Magongo on 24/02/2022 08:44:00


MBABANE – The TOTALEnergies CAF Confederation Cup match between Royal Leopard
and Orlando Pirates will be played behind closed doors.
Contrary to a report carried by a local daily newspaper, fans will not be
allowed inside the Mbombela Stadium to watch the clash set to kick-off at 6pm on
Sunday. According to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) statement released
yesterday about the match, their South African counterparts, in terms of their
COVID-19 protocol, no fans are allowed to watch matches.
“It should be noted that EFA has been informed by their counterparts in
compliance with the CAF COVID-19 protocol, no fans are allowed, subject to an
approval by CAF where the hosting federation’s country protocols allow,”
reads the statement. The police side are unable to host matches in the country
because of a lack of facilities.
Renovations
Mavuso Sports Centre, which has been an alternate to the country’s main venue,
after the closure of Somhlolo National Stadium due to renovations, was ruled out
by CAF as it was found to be lacking the basic requirements to host continental
club competition group matches. As a result, Royal Leopard were told to find an
alternate venue where they will pay about E75 000 booking fee for each of the
three ‘home’ games, starting with this Sunday’s clash against Pirates. In
total, they are expected to spend about E225 000 for the venue, excluding
transport, accommodations and other expenses. Radebe then announced the match
officials who come from Southern Africa. The game will be broadcast live on SABC
and SuperSport. Leopard is expected to leave the country on Friday having
returned from Algeria on Tuesday. They suffered a 2-0 defeat in their first
Group A match while Orlando Pirates also suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of
Libya’s Al-Ittihad.