LOBAMBA – Eswatini’s dream of hosting CAF group-stage matches at home faces a major hurdle.
Somhlolo National Stadium only holds temporary approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The historic venue, which recently reopened after a six-year closure for renovations, was cleared to host preliminary fixtures for CAF inter-club competitions — but CAF is yet to grant full approval due to the facility’s failure to meet the minimum 10 000-seater capacity required for group-stage matches.
According to CAF’s inspection report, the stadium’s ‘no man’s land’ section — an unseated area between stands — must be fitted with permanent seating before full certification can be issued.
Despite the setback, Somhlolo was the scene of high-stakes football this month, as Nsingizini Hotspurs hosted Simba Bhora (Zimbabwe) and Simba SC of Tanzania in the CAF Champions League, while Royal Leopard will welcome AS Maniema Union of the DR Congo in the CAF Confederation Cup this Saturday at Somhlolo National Stadium. Leopard previously hammered Young African of Namibia at this venue. The Nsingizini game attracted large crowds, a sign of renewed local interest after years without international club action on home soil.
However, with the group stages approaching, teams may once again have to look beyond Eswatini’s borders for suitable venues.
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