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NSINGIZINI BEAT ‘BULL’ TO CAF SLOT

01/06/2024 10:03:00 Nimrod Hlophe

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MBABANE - The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Executive Committee (Exco) has reportedly recommended Nsingizini Hotspurs to represent the country in the 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup slot.

This development was sparked by recent statements made by the club President, Derrick Shiba, who expressed interest in his team to represent the country in the lucrative Confederation Cup. During the team’s awards ceremony, held last Friday at the RDA Hall outside Nhlangano, Shiba emphasised the club’s commitment to compete at the continental level.

“We have shown our interest in partaking in CAF and we know the rules and regulations. ‘‘We will await a response from the football governing body in 72 hours,” Shiba said, much to the applause of those in attendance. Despite a circular released in January, this year, suggesting that continental football was strictly for champions and runners-up, it seems the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has had a change of heart.

The MoMo Cup champions were not the only team to apply for the CAF Confederation Cup slot, as Mbabane Highlanders also sent a letter to PLE, requesting to participate in the tournament. This was after Green Mamba’s withdrawal from the competition due to financial challenges. The Ally Kgomongwe’s team reportedly wrote a formal letter to the PLE, also copied to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), declaring their willingness to represent Eswatini in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Ultimately

However, a source within the PLE shared with the publication that the PLE Executive Committee met to discuss the matter and ultimately recommended Nsingizini Hotspurs to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) to represent the country in joining Mbabane Swallows that will play in the CAF Champions League. “As the third-placed team in the league, Nsingizini Hotspurs, were rightfully positioned to secure the CAF Confederation Cup slot in accordance with CAF rules.

Unfortunately for Mbabane Highlanders, their defeat in the Ingwenyama Cup semi-finals dashed their hopes of representing Eswatini on the continental stage. The PLE Executive Committee’s decision to award us the slot was a simple matter of following the established rules,” the source said. The 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup rules and regulations, specifically article IV, under engagements stipulate that the third-best finisher in the domestic league will be entitled to the slot in the CAF Confederation Cup.

This provision appears to have been adhered to by the PLE Executive Committee, as Nsingizini Hotspurs, being the third-placed team, were given the nod to participate in the tournament. The Premier League of Eswatini Chairman, Mark Carmichael, affirmed with this reporter that they had recommended Nsingizini Hotspurs to represent the country in the CAF tournament.

In his response, Carmichael mentioned that, over the past four years, the PLE has strived to be transparent and compliant in their decision-making, and this choice was not an executive decision, but rather a decision grounded in the interests of football. “If CAF is talking about the criteria, it is not our place to alter the rules. We are honouring a football decision by being transparent,” he said. The chairman went on to encourage all Premier League of Eswatini teams to strive for competitiveness, emphasising that the best route to qualification should be pursued by all teams.

Adopt

“I strongly encourage all members to adopt a competitive mindset and strive to win the league as well as the tournaments that offer opportunities to participate in African Cup tournaments. Winning the league and performing well in tournaments of this nature will not only improve the quality of our league, but also enhance Eswatini’s representation in international competitions,” he added.

Meanwhile, Eswatini Football Association CEO Frederick Mngomezulu, speaking on Eswatini TV, highlighted the importance of awaiting guidance from the Confederation of African Football before making a final decision on which team will be selected to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Nsingizini Hotspurs Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sibusiso ‘Mnotfo’ Dlamini, said he was still not yet aware of the new developments as they were still waiting for feedback from the PLE office, but highlighted that as a club playing in the CAF Confederation cup can help the team get more exposure.