UMHLOLO KA-SOMHLOLO!

LOBAMBA – Sly soccer fans are having a free reign at Somhlolo National Stadium – on a weekly basis!

The Times Sports Desk has uncovered how cunning soccer fans are gaining free entry on a weekly basis because of the decrepit state of the over 50 years old national stadium.

Upon inspection it was discovered that the culprits take advantage of the fact the fence at the stadium is old. The fans in question gain free entry more especially at night and during the course of the day-time games.

There are over four illegal entries at the country’s soccer Mecca. One noticeable entry is located behind the South stand. The palisade fence is worn out and one pillar of the ‘fence’ has been removed so that it can allow an average human being to squeeze through the palisade fence without as much of a hassle. Other obvious illegal entries are behind the toilets situated behind the North Stand.

The fence is also rusty and two pillars of the fences can be removed and put back into place after entry. Another gaping entry point is situated behind the no-man’s land.

Interestingly the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in mid last year deemed Somhlolo National Stadium not fit to host international games but most teams prefer to host their domestic games at the country’s soccer Mecca as compared to Mavuso Sports Centre.

A number of teams were interviewed and have given the same response on why they prefer to host at Somhlolo because it is affordable. It has been ascertained from the teams that they pay E1 100 during daylight and E1 600 during night games. At Mavuso Sports Centre it cost E1800 to host a game during the day.

Premier League of Eswatini CEO Simanga Nhleko confirmed that they were aware that some fans gained free entry through some illegal means at the national stadium.

‘We are aware of that, we have seen it in our figures, sometimes our figures stipulate that there are 9000 people who are in the stadium legally, but by mere looking the numbers ballooned up to 13 000.We are making a loss and it has come to our attention that some fans gain free entry. We do hope the ministry relevant will look into these issues,” Nhleko said.

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