SOCCER – 8BET Trade Fair Cup defending champions Nsingizini Hotspurs are focusing on their Last 16 encounter against Madlenya while preparing for the possibility of having two squads as they balance their domestic and continental commitments.
Nsingizini head coach Mandla Qhogi said the club faced a difficult situation because of the clash between the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) calendar and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) schedule. “It is a difficult situation. Sad and unfortunate that the PLE cannot align with the CAF calendar. Game
We will take each game as it comes and see where they take us but on September 6 we will be in Francistown for our CAF game,” Qhogi said.
Nsingizini are scheduled to face Madlenya in the Last 16 of the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup at Mavuso Sports Centre on August 30 at 3.45pm.
The defending champions are also preparing for their CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg match against Zimbabwean champions Scottland FC, which is scheduled for September 6 in Francistown, Botswana.
The fixture congestion was highlighted after the PLE released the Trade Fair Cup schedule, which coincides with the CAF inter-club commitments of both Nsingizini and Green Mamba.
Nsingizini were initially scheduled to play a potential quarter-final on September 2, the same day the club had planned to leave the country for its continental assignment.
PLE Brand and Marketing Manager Nqobile Simelane said the league remained in discussions with the affected clubs.
“I am aware that Nsingizini have plans to have two teams for the assignments but the right people to comment will be the club,” Simelane said.
The possibility of fielding two squads comes as Nsingizini seek to meet their commitments in both competitions.
The club had previously indicated that it would honour its Trade Fair Cup commitments before seeking guidance from the PLE if it progressed beyond the quarter-finals.
Nsingizini Hotspurs Public Relations Officer Mnotfo Dlamini had said the club planned to leave the country on September 2 for its CAF assignment and would await guidance from the PLE should it advance further in the domestic competition.
The PLE schedule has the Trade Fair Cup Last 16 matches taking place between August 30 and September 1, followed by the quarter-finals on September 2 and 3.
The semi-finals are scheduled for September 5, with the final set for September 6. Nsingizini’s continental assignment therefore falls on the same date as the scheduled Trade Fair Cup final. The club are the defending champions after beating Green Mamba in last year’s final through Quality Dlamini’s solitary goal.
Green Mamba are also affected by the fixture clash. They are scheduled to play their Last 16 match against Red Rhinos on September 1, with a potential quarter-final on September 3 and semi-final on September 5.
The semi-final date coincides with Green Mamba’s CAF Confederation Cup first-leg fixture against Angolan side CD 1º de Agosto at Somhlolo National Stadium.
Green Mamba CEO Ntuthuko Dlamini previously confirmed that the club would participate in the Trade Fair Cup but would seek guidance from the PLE because of its CAF commitment.
PLE CEO Petros Vilakati said the league would issue a statement addressing the issue.
Green Mamba head coach Mthunzi Ginindza was unavailable when efforts were made to reach him.
