IN AN UNEXPECTED MOVE: G. MAMBA WITHDRAW FROM CAF

MBABANE – It is a setback for local football.

The country will not be represented in the CAF Confederation Cup. Latest reports suggest that the winners of Ingwenyama Cup sponsored by Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF), Green Mamba, have decided against representing the county in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup next season, citing that it is expensive. They qualified by virtue of being the champions.

Green Mamba had a hard-fought victory, defeating Mbabane Swallows 1-0 in the final. Marksman and Inyokeluhlazane skipper Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa’s lone unanswered goal was enough to lead his team to victory, earning the E1.4 million first prize. Runners-up, Swallows, were eligible to take in Green Mamba slot, but they would instead compete in a bigger tournament after winning the MTN Premier League title to earn a ticket to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. They are automatically ruled out as they cannot compete in both competitions.

This leaves the country with no representative in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) second-tier inter-club tournament. EFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu, in a press statement, had earlier shared that following the absence of the EswatiniBank Cup, league runners-up would no longer be guaranteed a CAF slot. Instead, only league and Ingwenyama Cup SMVAF tournament winners would represent the country in CAF interclub competitions. He added that should the champions be unavailable, then the second best team would partake subject to the conformity of the CAF licensing regulation for the upcoming season and other regulations, including the expression of financial capacity to compete.

Furthermore, if the second best team to win a competition cannot partake then no football club would take their slot. “In the event that runner-up football clubs where applicable are also unable to be engaged, there will be no club in the participation to the respective CAF 2024/25 competition,” it read. Mabonwahlonishwe are said to have spent close to E1 million when they competed in the top-tier CAF club competition dubbed TotalEnergies Champions League at the beginning of the season. This money went to booking of the venue in Mozambique, hotel fees, travelling, security bookings, and many other expenses. The side reportedly used at least E130 000 to play two matches at Zimpeto Stadium.

The country’s soccer Mecca, Somhlolo National Stadium, is under refurbishment following a ban imposed in 2019, while Mavuso Sports Centre was also banned in February 2022. Stadium hire was estimated to be E200 000. It is worth noting that FNB Stadium booking fees vary depending on the nature and magnitude of the event, but could go as high as slightly above E500 000 in 2022. The formidable team were said to have written to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) notifying the local football mother body of its inability to compete.

Confirmed

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mandla Sibiya, confirmed they would not be participating. “We are eager to return to Africa, as such tournaments are good for the experience and exposure of players. However, it is too expensive.  Maybe, we would have competed if we won the league as well,” Sibiya said. EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe confirmed that the correspondence was received.  The EFA’s only support to local envoys in such continental tournaments is buying air tickets for match officials. EFA purportedly offered a E500 000 financial injection to boost top-tier teams that competed in Africa last year. These were former title holders Green Mamba and 2022/23 Women’s Football League champions Young Buffaloes Ladies. EFA President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane was quoted saying the package would not go to one team.

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