SOMHLOLO STADIUM HANDOVER TODAY?

MBABANE – Will it meet the required standards?

This is the question on many football supporters’ minds as the Somhlolo National Stadium is set to be officially handed over to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs by the contractor today, according to a source close to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA). The national arena was banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2019 for failing to meet the standards required to host category ‘A’ matches under the auspices of both CAF and the International Federation of Associations Football (FIFA).

The ban on the ‘mecca’ of Eswatini football was followed by a similar ban on the Mavuso Sports Centre a year later. This left the national team, Sihlangu, and the TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup representatives from the country with no choice but to seek alternative venues in South Africa.

The source revealed that the Phase IV rehabilitation at the stadium has been completed, and Construction Associates, the contractor, is expected to hand over the venue to the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, today. According to the government’s fiscal year budget estimates document, this phase of the refurbishment includes, among other features, a E10 million VVIP hospitality area and E9 million for sewer and toilet facilities. The breakdown also includes E3 million for a media room, E2 million for a VIP gate, E3 million for a giant screen, and E2 million for a backup generator.

The government has also budgeted E1 million for a retractable tunnel. It is worth noting that the government has installed all the necessary requirements to meet CAF standards, with the retractable tunnel, the final piece, delivered and installed approximately two weeks ago. It was reported that the government spent over E400 000 on the tunnel. “We will be touring the stadium for the final time, and after this event, the contractor will hand over the stadium’s keys to the minister,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the ministry’s Communications Officer Phumaphi Msweli refuted the claims that the stadium will be handed over today. “No that’s not true, what I gathered is that there will be inspections ahead of the Ingwenyama Cup finals,” Msweli said. Minister Nzima recently announced that the stadium will host the 2025 Ingwenyama Cup finals on Sunday. He also disclosed that this event would help them to assess whether the stadium meets the required standards, after which they will apply to CAF for an inspection.

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