DAWN OF A NEW ERA: CAF’S OVER E1.78M FOR ‘BIRDS’, NSINGIZINI

MBABANE – Eswatini CAF envoys are set to receive a major lifeline, following President Dr Patrice Motsepe’s promise to improve club competitions.

Reports suggest that the clubs participating in the preliminary stages of the TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will receive E895 425 each. This equates to US$50 000, according to yesterday’s exchange rate. This is the first time CAF offers financial assistance to clubs in this stage of the competition.  Previously, clubs needed to reach the group stages to be eligible to share the overall prize money.

Capital city giants Swallows, who are representing the country in the Champions League, were yet to compete in their game against Mozambican side Ferroviario da Beira at the time of compiling this report. Meanwhile, Shiselweni-based outfit Nsingizini Hotspurs clash with South Africa’s Premiership side Stellenbosch in Durban, today at 3pm.  The first preliminary round first leg began yesterday and is set to end tomorrow. Meanwhile, the return leg is scheduled for next weekend. The second preliminary round will take place in September, with group stage places at stake.

Concerns

CAF confirmed these reports through a statement on their official website yesterday.  “The significant step by CAF addresses the long-standing concerns from clubs on the travelling and logistical costs associated escalating playing in club continental football. This financial boost for preliminary round participants complements the existing prize money structure for later stages of both competitions,” part of the statement read. Meanwhile, Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge ‘Bhambo’ Ngwenya expressed gratitude on the move. “If the reports indeed turn out to be true such an initiative by CAF is commendable.

Clubs are always in need of revenue as they have many expenses. This major boost will go a long way,” he said.In addition, efforts to get Nsingizini Hotspurs PRO were fruitless, as his phone rang unanswered. Eswatini international duo of Lindo ‘All-Trades’ Mkhonta and Mxolisi Mkhonto’s teams are set to benefit from this gesture as well. Botswana Premier League (BPL) reigning champions Jwaneng Galaxy parade Mkhonto, who will face Namibia’s African Stars today.

Motivation

Meanwhile, ZESCO United where the right-footed player, Mkhonta, penned a deal competes against a Zimbabwe-based side tomorrow. Mkhonta shared Ngwenya’ sentiments saying this was a motivation for teams. “The standard of football will improve. Each team will fight hard to book a slot in inter-club competitions,” he said. According to a statement earlier released by CAF, the addition of the second preliminary round (play-offs stage) of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup remains cancelled. Consequently, teams eliminated in the second round of the CAF Champions League will no longer transition into the CAF Confederation Cup. Clubs that advance from the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup will proceed directly to the group stage of the competition. Teams will be battling for about a whopping E7 million in this competition.

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