Africa-Press – Eswatini. Young Buffaloes’ sudden withdrawal from the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2023/24 may have consequences but they are nothing compared to the over E1 million bill that was to be settled by the club.
This publication exclusively reported yesterday that Buffaloes have since withdrawn from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) inter-club tournament, ahead of a two-legged fixture with South Africa’s DStv Premiership side Sekhukhune United. The first leg was scheduled for Saturday, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, in Gauteng before the second leg home away from home on August 25. It would have been away games because Eswatini does not have a qualifying stadium for such category A games, as per the ban by CAF and the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) in 2018 of Somhlolo National Stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre.
Chance
The two legs with Sekhukhune alone would have cost them around over E500 000, and if by any chance Buffaloes continued to the next round, they would have to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which also comes with further costs, including flight tickets this time around. That also includes an away home game, which comes with booking of a stadium and the costs were estimated to have esculated to over E1 million. This is even before the group stage, which at least pays millions to clubs reaching that stage.
Selected
Buffaloes were selected for the competition by virtue of finishing as the MTN Premier League runners-up last season, after Green Mamba, who were the champions. Impeccable sources within the army side confirmed that the Mandla ‘Sitofu’ Dlamini-led side needed over E1 million for the games against debutants Sekhukhune United and St. Eloi Lupopo of DR Congo in the second preliminary round, if Buffaloes would have gone through the first round.
Cost
“The game against Sekhukhune United alone would have cost the club just over E500 000. Had the club gone through to the Sekhukhune test, the team would have to face DR Congo, which was going to be more expensive,” the source said. The withdrawal of the club will not only affect the army side, which will face suspension from the next two tournaments, but will also affect effect EFA. Information sourced from the CAF online website suggest that the Eswatini association will need to pay 5 000 US Dollars, which is around E95 000.
“In case of withdrawal of a team, its federation shall be responsible for the financial and other consequences to be determined by the Organising and Disciplinary Committee of CAF. A withdrawal reported during the preliminary round is sanctioned with a loss of the entry right as well as a fine of five thousand (5 000) US Dollars,” reads part of the rules from CAF in part. Meanwhile, Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane when asked on the withdrawal of the army side confirmed that it was true that they got a correspondence from Buffaloes, revealing that they were resigning from the competition. “Yes it’s true that we got a letter from them.
Caused
“We are yet to sit down with the team and hear what caused the team to resign so that we can understand in the future,” he said. He shared that he was still yet to be made aware that the association will need to pay money for the withdrawal of the army side. “We are still to look at the matter as an office,” he mentioned. ‘Samora’ went on to mention that as the EFA office they normally helped the teams to a certain level. “Green Mamba, for example, know what they need to do if they need us to help them,” he shared. The preliminary round ties will be played between August 18-20 and August 25-27 on dates still to be confirmed by CAF. Reaching the group stages of the tournament was this year made easier for team after CAF approved the cancellation of the second preliminary phase of the Champions League qualifiers. The 16 winning clubs from the second preliminary round will qualify directly for the group stage of the Champions League. The new rule was approved during CAF’s special conference in Morocco.
Withdrew
Meanwhile, Gambia’s representatives, Steve Biko once withdrew from the Champions League and the team was banned two years by CAF. The army side was going to be making its second appearance in the second premier club competition, where they were knocked out by Zambian side Red Arrows. No immediate comment could be sourced from Buffaloes CEO Sandile Gwebu by late last night, as his phone repeatedly rang unanswered.
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