By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima could be a happy man if he can leave office with a new stadium constructed in the country.
He said currently they are hoping that the Football International Federation Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will approve Somhlolo National Stadium to hosts international matches after the competition of phase four.
He said the phase of four of construction had already started and they were looking forward at its completion soon.
Eswatini is currently hosting its international matches under CAF and FIFA outside the country to poor playing facilities. This comes after both CAF and FIFA said Somhlolo National Stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre were not up to the standard in hosting games under their auspices.
Nzima was speaking in the talk show at Eswatini TV (Asakhe Kwetfu) on Wednesday evening.
“The government is doing all its best to get funds and construct a stadium that will be of high standard wanted by FIFA and CAF. But currently we are hopeful that Somhlolo would be approved and be able to hosts the international games after the competition of phase four,” he said.
The phase four include the installing of toilets close to the stands, time board and tunnels improvement.
The most affected team is the national senior team, Sihlangu that is currently playing in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers and they will also be playing in the CAF Nations Championships.
Sihlangu has mostly hosted their international games at Mbombela Stadium, South Africa. The ban also had an effected in the CAF Inter-club competitions representatives, Mbabane Swallows and Nsingizini Hotspurs as they also had to host their home games away from home in South Africa.
