SOCCER – Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane has expressed his happiness over the improved condition of the Somhlolo National Stadium, declaring it ready to host continental football matches once again.
Simelane shared these sentiments after watching a disappointing display from the Eswatini women’s Under-20 national team, who lost 5-0 to their South African counterparts in the opening leg of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers to be staged in Poland.
“The venue is ready and fit for the CAF games. Special thanks go to His Majesty’s Government for their tireless efforts in upgrading the facility to meet international requirements. We take pride in the fact that we will witness international matches again on home soil after such a long time. One would conclude by wishing both our teams the best of luck in their upcoming games,” he said.
The soft-spoken football administrator acknowledged that being forced to play outside the country had not only been financially burdensome, but had also robbed players of the advantage of home support.
The return of international football to Somhlolo is seen as a morale booster, both for clubs and the football fraternity at large.
Simelane confirmed that Somhlolo would host Royal Leopard’s CAF Champions League fixture against Tanzanian giants Young Africans, while MTN Premier League champions Nsingizini Hotspurs will welcome Zimbabwean side Simba Bhora in the CAF Confederation Cup next weekend at the same venue.
In addition to the club fixtures, Somhlolo will also stage Eswatini’s final two matches in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Angola and Cape Verde.
