eSwatini CAF confederations Cup representatives Royal Leopards have suffered a huge blow and might be forced to play their home matches away from home.
This comes after the CAF banned the Mavuso Sports Centre which they use for both domestic and international competition matches.
In a correspondence sent to the office of eSwatini Football Association (EFA) Chief executive officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu, CAF deemed the facility unfit to host matches.
As it stands, the country does not have a stadium of FIFA standards but Mavuso Sports Centre previously had a special provision from CAF to host matches.
In its report following another round of inspection, CAF noted that the Mavuso pitch is in poor condition. The quality and maintenance of the field of play is a big concern.
The African football mother body suggested that an installation of new international standard, modern and comfortable benches for teams and officials must be carried out with each of the two benches covered, be at pitch level with a seating room for 20 persons.
The dressing rooms size and space were also not deemed enough to accommodate 24 players and teams’ officials.
“Considering that the venues selected do not meet the requirements for CAF interclub competitions, the team in question will have to play its matches in an approved stadium outside its territory and the venue will have to be selected among the stadiums approved by CAF,” said CAF.
Leopard have until Friday to submit a name of a venue accompanied by a letter of agreement from the host association.
They are due to host Orlando Pirates on 27 February with the pending week one match against Libya’s Al-Ittihad Tripoli rescheduled for 6 March.
