Africa-Press – Eswatini. MBABANE – The country’s hopes of having a world-class stadium are not dead, as football lovers demonstrated their anticipation with their own designs of prospective stadiums.
Social media is being rocked by the classy designs in national flag colours. Three prospective designs were widely circulated on Facebook, suggesting that these stadiums could be built in Eswatini’s major towns. They want them built at Lobamba, Manzini and Nhlangano. The fans liked and admired these designs, with some describing them as wonderful, well and perfect.
According to the designer of the stadiums, such facilities could help in hosting international games and some regional tournaments, such as the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) championships. About two years ago, Somhlolo National Stadium that is still being refurbished hosted the COSAFA Juniors men’s championships. However, government is in the process of rehabilitating Somhlolo to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards. Under this project, the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has completed Phase III, with other phases to follow. The venue is ineligible to host CAF category ‘A’ games, alongside Mavuso Sports Centre.
Over the weekend, Somhlolo hosted the Ingwenyama Cup grand opening games. However, during the Sibaya held last year in October, the participants expressed and encouraged government to construct a new stadium. One to voice out this need was former football administrator Zwelonke ‘Sports Fire’ Dlamini, who said the country had still not constructed a new stadium since 1968. Prince Lindani also expressed his views at the Mandvulo Grand Hall, during the introduction of the then new Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators to His Majesty King Mswati III.
“As a nation, we need a stadium with a seating capacity of 30 000 to 50 000, allowing us to host the King’s 60th birthday celebration and global sporting events,” the prince said in November. However, it is known that government seeks to build a new stadium through public private partnerships (PPPs). Through these collaborations with the private sector, government seeks to get companies to construct a stadium, which it could then buy based on agreed terms and conditions. At the start of the 2023/24 financial year, former Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga said the idea was yet to impress the market.
In the struggle for an international stadium, fans are deprived the privilege to watch their clubs and senior national team Sihlangu during international competions. South Africa’s Mbombela Stadium has become home-away-from home for international matches while Mozambique’s Zimpeto Stadium has also been used.
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