Times Of Swaziland: CAF: ‘BIRDS’ SET TO HOST IN MOZ

CAF: ‘BIRDS’ SET TO HOST IN MOZ
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Nimrod Hlophe on 14/06/2024 08:14:00


MBABANE – Capital city giants, Mbabane Swallows, are hoping to host their CAF
Champions League games in Mozambique.
Swallows reached the Confederation of African Football (CAF) group stages in
2017. As they return in August, they are said to be crossing their fingers to
use Mozambiques’s Zimpeto or Matola Stadium. This is because Eswatini
currently does not have a venue that has been approved by CAF to host its
category ‘A’ games. According to the 2022 CAF Stadium Regulations, ‘A’
games include the Champions League, Confederations League, men’s and women’s
TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as well as the African Nations
Championship (CHAN) games.
However, as the deadline for CAF inter-club participants draws closer, Swallows
are reported to be ‘seeking refuge’ in Mozambique. Member associations (MA)
are expected to have submitted the final lists of their continental competition
envoys by June 22. According to a source within the ‘Birds’ camp, the
reigning MTN Premier League champions have already visited Mozambique in search
of a hosting venue.
Affordable
“In terms of venues, Mozambique has been a top priority, with a delegation
having travelled to Mozambique to try get one affordable venue. One of them has
been Black Bull’s Matola Stadium,” the source said.In the previous season,
Ingwenyama Cup-sponsored Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF)
champions, Green Mamba, had hosted at Zimpeto. They were charged around E130 000
booking fee. There were also other additional fees. This has eventually made
them rethink their participation in the Confederation Cup until the country has
an approved stadium.
The source revealed that if the Matola bid fails, then Zimpeto may then be
considered. “There hasn’t been any effort made to secure a venue in South
Africa due to their high pricing. If everything fails, they might use the same
venue that was used by Green Mamba last season,” the source further said.
Matola is a 5 000-seater stadium, which the current log-leaders in
Mozambique’s Premier League use as their fortress. Meanwhile, when reached for
comment, ‘Birds’ Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge ‘Bhambo’
Ngwenya was locked in a meeting.