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OUR HANDS ARE TIED - GOVT

02/10/2020 00:54:00 BY SANELE JELE

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MBABANE – While a number of countries intensify their preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), it is a different story for Sihlangu.

The main reason the Dominic Kunene-led charges are not training or at least having practice matches, is because in the country football remains banned by the Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini-led government.

The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has been in the past highlighted that they had plans in place as long as government would give them the green light. As things stand, government has not given football (which is categorised under high risk sports) the green light to resume.

Just two month ago, EFA was forced to cancel the 2020/21 season with eight games to go while the EswatiniBank Cup was on its quarterfinal stage.

prepare

Sihlangu need to prepare for the AFCON group I matches against Congo-Brazzaville, first away, then at home on November 7-9, 16-17 before hosting Guinea-Bissau at a venue yet to be confirmed as Mavuso Sports Centre has been used as a COVID-19 quarantine facility. The EFA cannot respond to questions regarding preparations at the moment due to the continued ban on football by government.

When quizzed, EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said there were no new developments as football remained banned by government.

Eswatini Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini said there was nothing they could do about Sihlangu’s fate.

“We cannot comment specifically on football. We can comment about high risk sports which remain banned in the country. We have said this in our previous statement that unbanning high risk sports entirely relies on the behaviour of the virus spread. Right now there is no change, high risk sports remain banned in the country,” said Dlamini.

When asked further if they were aware that other countries had lifted the ban on football despite that numbers were high, he said this question could be better answered by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs.

When sought for comment, the ministry’s Communications Officer, Sibongiseni Zondi, said government issued a statement that high risk sports remain banned. He further said football matters could be addressed by the EFA.

friendlies

Interestingly, Malawi has lined up friendlies against Zimbabwe and neighbouring Zambia next month ahead of Total AFCON Cameroon 2021 qualifiers.

The Flames face Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Lusaka on October 7, 2020, and then host The Warriors of Zimbabwe at Kamuzu Stadium four days later, according to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).

Malawi will use the friendlies to fine-tune for AFCON qualifying matches against Burkina Faso in November.

Malawi is currently third in qualifications Group B that also comprises Uganda and South Sudan. The Flames beat South Sudan 1-0 and lost 2-0 to Uganda’s Cranes.

Malawi FA Chief Executive Officer Alfred Gunda said they would follow all Covid-19 precautionary measures for the games to be played.

Zambia hosted Malawi in Lusaka last March, with the hosts winning 1-0 at Nkoloma Stadium, courtesy of Collins Sikombe’s strike.