The information that Eswatini will play against Guinea Bissau at the Mavuso Sports Centre was good music to the Senior Men’s National Team (Sihlangu) Head Coach, Domenic Kunene. “Psychologically it was stressing the players in not knowing where the match will be played, but after it was confirmed that the match will be played on home turf; their psychological strength is now boosted as this is a venue they are familiar with” Kunene stated. This comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned the Mavuso Sports Centre from hosting official international matches of this magnitude as this venue does not meet the set standards.
After the CAF Emergency Committee meeting held on Monday, 8th March 2021; the African football governing body decided to lift the ban on hosting the Total AFCON Qualifiers match between these two national teams. This is an exclusive relaxation, restricted to only this match.
The EFA also welcomed this CAF decision as it came as a substantial relief on technical, fiscal and logistical requirements and convenience of hosting matches of an international breath.