BUFFS’ CAF PREPS STALLED

MBABANE – Stopping football due to the latest partial lockdown by government would affect Young Buffaloes’ preparations for the CAF Confederation Cup.

Government announced a partial lockdown that began on Thursday at midnight and called for no gatherings and meetings for the next two weeks due to rising cases of COVID-19. 

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This has also affected sports and football was not spared as the Sports Ministry yesterday interpreted the statement to officially suspend all sporting activities with immediate effect for two weeks.

This means that the MTN Premier League, which was due to continue next weekend after the festive break, also came to a halt for a further period of two weeks, while the country’s CAF envoys, Young Buffaloes, were due to be drawn against their continental rivals in the Confederation Cup after failing in the second round of the Champions League against AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“We will offer guidance on that one in due course. What stands right now is that all local sport stops. 

“On the Buffaloes issue, because it is a bit different, we will advise as soon as we have the full information including the draw,” Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Ministry’s Communications Officer Sibongizeni Zondi explained when this matter was raised.

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He emphasised that Buffaloes were a special case, but as of this moment, they also cannot be seen training until further notice from the ministry. The draw indicated later on that Buffaloes will host former Mbabane Swallows rivals in the CAF Confederation Cup, Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia on February 14, Valentine’s Day, and travel for the second leg scheduled for February 21. 

This will be the play-off round for Buffaloes before they can enter the group stage of the tournament and gain E4 million.

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