Times Of Swaziland: MAJOR BOOST FOR ESWATINI CAF CONFED ENVOYS AS: E7M BOUNTY NOW 360 MIN AWAY

MAJOR BOOST FOR ESWATINI CAF CONFED ENVOYS AS: E7M BOUNTY NOW 360 MIN AWAY
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Ntombikayise Gwebu and Sanele Jele on 05/06/2024 08:54:00


MBABANE – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced key
information relating to the 2024/2025 Inter-club season.
The correspondence includes changes in the CAF Confederation Cup, with
qualification for the group stages much easier as compared to the past editions.
The 2024/2025 CAF Inter-club season will kick off with the preliminary round
scheduled for August 16-18, 2024.  Mbabane Swallows will compete in the top-tier
tournament styled CAF Champions League. Nsingizini Hotspurs, on the other hand,
have been nominated for the CAF Confederation Cup, subject to confirmation from
the continental football mother body.
According to the statement, the addition of the second preliminary round
(play-offs stage) of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup remains cancelled.
Consequently, teams eliminated in the second round of the CAF Champions League
will no longer transition into the CAF Confederation Cup. Clubs that advance
from the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup will proceed
directly to the group stages of the competition. Previously, there was a third
round before the group stages. CAF Confederation Cup second round winners used
to play teams eliminated from the Champions League in two-legged play-offs.
This means CAF Confederation Cup envoys will now play four games (a minimum of
360 minutes) before reaching the group stages. A team reaching the group stages
will be  guaranteed US$400 000 (about E7.4 million) in yesterday’s exchange
rate. “We are pleased with this latest development by CAF. This signifies a
shorter journey for us to reach the group stages, where we stand to benefit
significantly in monetary terms.
“As a team, we will make thorough preparations and provide further updates on
our CAF,” said Nsingizini Public Relations Officer Sibusiso ‘Mnotfo’
Dlamini. As per the CAF programme, the group stages are scheduled for October to
December 2024. The knockout phase and final of both competitions will be between
March and May 2025. CAF has already kicked off the registration period for
member associations to register their qualified clubs on the CAF Competitions
Management System (CMS).