MBABANE: One more of the familiar defeats for the national team Sihlangu should be one too many. They are back home, having somewhat redeemed the national dignity by holding their nemesis, Guinea Bissau to a 1-all-draw at the Mbombela stadium last night in the Africa Cup Qualifiers.
For the past two years, the national team have been deputy South Africans whose home ground had become Mbombela, the Mpumalanga stadium.
It’s not only politically unsavoury by an expensive pretence that costs about E1million each time they cross the border. The Somhlolo National Stadium where they should be hosting visitors, is unfit for soccer international soccer – lacking the essential amenities. It was banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which demanded improvements.
Since 2023, international games that could be played in the country are exported to South Africa.
The high cost of hosting games in South Africa is so bad that Ntondozi Member of Parliament Peter Ngwenya joked that it provided an incentive for the national team to lose quickly and get out of international competitions as this was more cost effective.
Government this year allocated the Ministry of Sport E35 million, for among others, improving the Somhlolo Stadium. But that is only a drop in the bucket. Besides, that money disappeared at a rapid rate – E10 million of it already gone – to pay Nelspruit for hosting Eswatini games at E933 thousand a throw. If that money was intended for improving the Somhlolo stadium, then what remains as the balance falls far too short of what is required. Minister of Sport Bongani Ndzima told Parliament recently that the cost of repairing the stadium and installing facilities to meet international standards is E63 million.
Sihlangu requires a quality stadium as one of a number of essentials needed to get it to winning form.
But money is only one, and perhaps the least important elements required for winning. Guinea Bissau that roasts Sihlangu anytime they meet, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Their economy is driven by cashew nuts. World Bank assesses their GDP per capita at 914.28 USD (2023) compared to Eswatini’s GDP per capita of 3,797.30 USD (2023) World Bank. Though Guinea Bissau is a poor country, poverty is the least of their problems. Poverty is expected to decrease from 26.7% in 2023 to 23.4% in 2024; compared to Eswatini, which despite it billions, has approximately 59% of the population living below the national poverty line; over 20% of them in extreme poverty.
Poor as they are, Guinea-Bissau has a FIFA stadium, the Estádio 24 de Setembro. They hosted Sihlangu here on 5 September and mauled them 1-0.
The Bissaurians have that competitive spirit. Their national team which has been playing continental soccer since 1986, has tasted success. They even qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2017.
Minister Ndzima’s recent update to Parliament showed that the sub-standard stadium gate has been replaced.
- A standard standalone power generator has been installed.
- A big TV screen has arrived, and will soon be installed.
- Construction of toilets closer to stands has started.
These are really basic upgrades that should not hold a whole country to ransom. Mr. Ndzima needs all the assistance he can get to get the stadium functioning properly so that he can then focus on the next most important job of getting Sihlangu to perform better than it currently does.
Jm/today/18.11.2024
