Africa-Press – Eswatini. “We have a lot of considerations to look at. All I can say is that clubs must be ready to start playing.”
These were the words of Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairperson Mark Carmichael on Wednesday when questioned about the MTN Premier League kick-off, particularly because the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) was having its annual general meeting (AGM) next Sunday. The PLE had initially scheduled for the season to resume next Friday. Also, another reason the chairperson was engaged was because of the FIFA (Federation of International Football Associations) international break starting in the period September 4-12. This essentially means the league kick-off date in indefinite until the PLE announces a new one.
Busy
The country’s senior national team, Sihlangu, will play its final group game on September 8, away to Burkina Faso in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 Qualifiers but only as a formality as qualification failed. Carmichael did not hide the fact that the schedule was too busy in the next coming days. “Its considerations like the upcoming holidays in the country, the national celebrations, FIFA break as you know Sihlangu is playing as well on September 8, the Trade Fair is also starting, Independence Day, which means we can’t have Mavuso and Somhlolo stadiums yet we want to start with a bang,” Carmichael said.
The Chairman who also doubles as the EFA Vice President said with all these considerations, it was essential that clubs continued with preparations as the season would definitely kick off. “We’ll find and announce the kick-off date soon but right now clubs must work hard to put their houses in order especially on issues of club licensing as required by CAF. As EFA Vice President I also sit in their AGM which is next Sunday and it’s also another factor for us on top of what I’ve already mentioned,” Carmichael said. The PLE released the season master fixture for both the top flight and second tier leagues early this month and also held their AGM about a fortnight ago but with media locked out.
“There’s nothing untoward the media but it has been felt that some of our members then sensationalise issues or go overboard because they see the media among us. We decided that for everyone to speak freely without sensationalism, we must be on our own,” he explained. Carmichael acknowledged the stories that are currently coming out of the AGM reports which this publication and its weekly editions, the Eswatini News and Times Sunday continue to analyse and report about. He said the media was a stakeholder and they needed it on board in the development of the game.
FIFA breaks for the 2023/24 season:
September 4-12, 2023
October 9-17, 2023
November 13-21, 2023
March 18-26, 2024
June –July, 2024
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