By Sibusiso Masilela
The late venue switch by South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round could benefit Nsingizini Hotspurs.
The Western Cape-based side could compensate the local envoys following their decision to use the Moses Mabhida Stadium for their home match on Saturday.
The Steve Barker-led side couldn’t secure the Cape Town and Athlone Stadium ahead of the return leg scheduled for Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
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This was revealed by the Nsingizini Hotspurs President Derrick Shiba when reflecting on the first leg match after they suffered a 3-0 loss to the ‘Stellies’ on August 17, 2024, at the same venue (Moses Mabhida Stadium).
“We are currently in talks with Stellenbosch FC over compensations as we had already made flight bookings for the Cape Town trip before they changed the venue for the return leg,” he said.
Shiba further stated that he was adamant that his charges would come to the party during the return following the first leg loss.
“We have rectified the mistakes which we committed in the first leg encounter which were mainly caused by stage fright. I am confident that we will turn the tables around during the return leg,” he said.
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Shiba also thanked the Minister of Sports, culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima and other stakeholders for supporting the team during the first leg encounter.
“We are humbled by the support of the minister, other cabinet ministers Eswatini Football Association and Premier League of Eswatini during the first leg.
We also thank our supporters for turning out in numbers to support the team and we will do our level best to make them during the return leg,” the president of the back-to-back Momo Cup Champions said.
The Alexis Sergion-coached side needs a 4-0 win to advance to the first round of the continent’s second premier club competition.
