EFA ELATED OVER E3.2BN STADIUM

MBABANE – The future is bright for Eswatini football.

This is the reaction of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) following news by the country’s Prime Minister, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, that a E3.2 billion new stadium was in the pipeline as part of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan by the government. The premier announced the details of the plan in a press conference last week Friday, revealing that E10 million had been set aside to get the project off the ground, with the full costs for the completion of the stadium rising to E3.2 billion. It is projected that the first phase of the project, which will cover quantity surveying and other essential preliminary measures, will take up to 18 months, availing 10 jobs.

EFA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngometulu could not hide his delight at the news of the new stadium. “The news that government is planning to build such a big stadium can only mean the future is bright for Eswatini football. We are very delighted to hear such news as football, especially because facilities that meet international standards are in short supply locally. The availability of such a world class facility would go a long way in developing local football,” Mngometulu explained. Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman Peter ‘Touch’ Magagula shared the same sentiments, stating that government’s dream for a new stadium was welcome with both hands by the premier league.

“The evidence is there that the country is in need of a big stadium that will host top international tournaments like we see in other countries. The need for a new bigger stadium cannot be overemphasised because the truth is that we are lacking such in our football. It will bring positive spinoffs for the local game in as far as development is concerned,” Magagula said.
The PLE boss further observed that the availability of the new stadium will assist the premier league a lot in terms of hosting single headers.

Bigger

“People must understand that it is not our wish to host double headers in premier league games because that is never an ideal arrangement in terms of revenue. The availability of a new bigger stadium would ensure that we are able to host single headers and local finals. Such stadiums normally provide advantages like suites for VIPs, which means people would be able to bring their families to the stadium without worrying about their safety,” Magagula added.

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