CAF LICENCE OR NO REGISTRATION FOR 1ST DIVISION

MBABANE – It is no longer about elite clubs only as the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) wants CAF Club Licensing adherence from National First Division League teams too.

This is according to a memo released by the EFA to the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) yesterday, which the latter communicated to its members. In the memo, EFA CEO Frederick Mngomezulu makes it clear in the communiqué that.:“No club will be allowed to register its players for the 2021/22 season without a licence.” CAF denotes Confederation of African Football. Meanwhile, the EFA CEO states that clubs must note that the ‘spot checks have to be done before a licence is issued’ by the EFA Licensing Committee. Teams have until September 17 to submit licence applications with all outlined appropriate documentation to the EFA office, at the latest. “After this date, the Club Licensing Committee will analyse the applications and verify authenticity, including spot checks,” wrote Mngomezulu in the memo.

requirements

Meanwhile, the requirements, just like it is for elite teams, covers infrastructure (ownership or lease agreements of stadiums (match venue) and training facilities to be used during the season and they must have restrooms), personnel and administration (head coach must have CAF Licence B or better, team medic/doctor with minimum of Nursing Certificate, fitness coach and secretary of the club and applicable certificates must be attached with letter of appointment/contracts for appointed, as well as legal (club statutes and declaration of ownership and control and declaration on compliance with Competitions and Statutory requirements of the PLE, EFA, CAF and FIFA) and Financials (realisable budget for the 2020/21 football season or audited financials). This is one hurdle for the 10 current first division league teams as the promotion of four regional teams from the super leagues remains in doubt – in fact an impeccable source within the EFA said they would be advised by the EFA Competitions Committee otherwise those leagues had no rules to relegate and promote as they were inactive due to COVID-19. Some of these requirements have been difficult for even the elite clubs especially the audited statements.

PLE Chief Operations Officer (COO) Pat Vilakati confirmed the memorandum from the football mother body. “It’s a directive from EFA. They did call the teams to a workshop to educate them on the Club Licensing programme,” Vilakati said.
One of the first division league teams’ Chairman, Mandla Simelane of Mbabane Citizens, said they were made aware of the changes even before end of the season so as clubs they had been anticipating it. “What is of concern though is that we don’t even have the money as clubs as COVID-19 is crippling us, but yes, we’re aware of the licensing standards for next season,” he said. Simelane said as teams they would have to try their best as this was also meant to develop the game in the country.

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