Africa-Press – Eswatini. There will be no more cheating of fans as Somhlolo National Stadium facelift takes shape.
The Times Sports Desk uncovered in the past years how cunning soccer fans would gain free entry because of the decrepit state of the over 50 years old national stadium. The past years saw the stadium with over four illegal entries. One noticeable entry was located behind the South stand. The palisade fence was worn out and one pillar of the ‘fence’ was removed so that it could allow an average human being to squeeze through it without much of a hassle. Other obvious illegal entries were behind the toilets situated behind the North Stand. The fence was also rusty and two pillars of it were removed and put back into place after entering the stadium. The soccer Mecca would see culprits take advantage of the poor fencing of the stadium but they will have to think twice as the stadium is now enclosed with a wall barricade and has electronic gates that are being set up.
Besides these features, there is also secured fencing around the pitch. It will no longer be ‘no-man’s land’ without enclosure of the pitch as putting palisade fencing is also at an advanced stage in this grandstands. Reached for comment, Manzini Wanderers praised the strides made so far. The team’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lucky ‘Majayivane’ Dlamini said they had been waiting for this. “We are excited about these latest improvements as they might stabilise the teams’ finances. It means accountability and transparent gate collections for teams as no fan will be able to watch games free of charge,” he said. The refurbishment of the main arena at Somhlolo started in 2019 after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned the stadium from hosting international category ‘A’ matches. This then forced the national team Sihlangu and clubs representing the country to play home games in South Africa.
The estimates show that the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs under the leadership of former Sihlangu coach Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga had spent E79 771 000 for the upgrading of the stadium under Phase II by March 2022. Its estimated expenditure by end of May this year was at E94 771 000. The renovations are still ongoing and might be concluded next month as Somhlolo is also earmarked to host the country’s double celebration of the 55th Independence Day and His Majesty the King’s birthday on September 6.
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