CAF INSPECTION: MORE UPGRADES NEEDED FOR SOMHLOLO TO MEET REQUIREMENT

MBABANE – “Flood lights, Venue Operation Centre and reclining of tunnels are one of the key security things that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) requires for Somhlolo to host CAF matches.”

These were the words of CAF Instructor and CAF Head of Safety and Security Doctor Christian Emeruwa during the closing ceremony of the CAF Safe Stadium Initiative Workshop that was concluded this past Thursday at the Bethel Court, Ezulwini. The workshop saw 40 participants from different football clubs in the country taking part in the course that took 3 days, from July 16 to 18 July 2024.  

“During our inspection at Somhlolo National Stadium we observed that there were few things that need to be done to make the stadium balanced. One of the things we spotted is the creation of the venue operation centre room where all the closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras should be integrated. This is where the command and control of all operations of matches takes place. As the stadium stands it does not have that. There is a need to create that space and luckily we have already recommended somewhere that could serve that purpose,” Emeruwa said. He further highlighted that reclining tunnels should also be improved to protect players when moving them from the dressing rooms to the field of play and also emphasised on how media and VIP entrance should not be mixed.

Separate

“We also noticed that the media normally uses the same access with the very important people (VIP) and very very important people (VVIP) and yet we expect stadiums to separate this two. We have then endorsed the need to construct the new media tribune to make sure that the media does not mix with the VIP and VVIP entrance. We as well observed the need to improve the flood lights within and around the stadium so that players can be able to play effectively even at night,” he added. Meanwhile, Emeruwa highlighted on the importance of creating emergency and vacation gates especially in the no mans’ land area to make sure that the standing crowd is in a position to vacate the premises and that the exit points should be painted with specific colours to be easily identified. He also stressed on the sanitary part that there should be enough toilets for the spectators within and around the stadium and if they were not enough portable toilets are recommended.

Security

“These are the security things that CAF is expecting to see from a stadium that will host our matches. All these things need to be put into place and it is then that you have put this in place then you can be able to meet the security conditions in which the venue can host a CAF match.” Government recently raised a budget of E1.9 for phase four of Somhlolo National Stadium renovation, which will also include the giant screens and power generator.

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