SA’S E80K MBOMBELA STADIUM FOR LEOPARD

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.

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