GERMAN GROUNDHOPPERS AT MAVUSO

MANZINI – German tourists have made a stop in Eswatini, as they seek to explore the world through the exhilarating adventure of groundhopping.

This is the captivating journey of Jan Schneider and his wife, Cansu Schneider, who have been passionately engaging in this pastime for nearly a decade across the globe.
Groundhopping is a hobby that entails attending sports matches at a multitude of different stadiums or grounds. Participants, often referred to as groundhoppers, hoppers or travellers, predominantly focus on football-related events.

Enthusiasts

Typically, groundhoppers are football enthusiasts who maintain a neutral stance regarding football clubs and aim to experience as many matches as possible in various stadiums, viewing the entire process as a leisurely pursuit. The couple was spotted at Mavuso Sports Centre on Sunday, enjoying a thrilling double-header featuring Moneni Pirates versus Sisonkhe and Mbabane Swallows against Nsingizini Hotspurs. Moneni Pirates succumbed to a 0-1 defeat, while the clash between Swallows and Nsingizini concluded in a goalless draw. They were seen cheering the players and capturing diverse views of the stadium. This inquisitive reporter approached them to uncover their story.

Jan (41) and his wife Cansu serve as Leistungssachbearbeiter at a Job centre in Germany, where their responsibilities include approving financial benefits for clients according to the Social Code Book II (SGB II) and assisting in job placements. This role involves navigating complex cases that often present significant challenges, particularly in the processing of various benefit applications.

“We have been pursuing this hobby since I was young. I remember my first match in 1989, which I attended with my father; it was between Dortmund and Bochum. My first match outside Germany was in the Netherlands in 2002. The most memorable match I have witnessed was in 2014, where Brazil faced Germany in the World Cup. From that point, it has evolved into a hobby, leading me to travel the world to watch games in different countries. I have visited 300 stadiums across the globe and explored 29 countries.”

Remarkable

He highlighted some of the remarkable stadiums he has visited, including Liverpool’s Anfield, where Liverpool played Fulham FC in April 2023, and Tottenham’s New Stadium, where he watched Tottenham versus Manchester City in April 2024. He also attended a match between Las Vegas Lights FC and Orange County (USL Second Division) in 2019. His travels to 29 stadiums have taken him to France, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Russia, the United States, South Africa and now Eswatini.

Among all his experiences, he described his time in Eswatini as uniquely enriching, praising the quality of football and the vibrant atmosphere created by fans singing and engaging in the game. He expressed excitement for their next destination, South Africa, where they plan to watch a match at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and make a stop in Cape Town before departing for Germany on December 24. Additionally, he revealed that he is a staunch supporter of Schalke 04, attending most of their home games in Germany.

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