Stellenbosch’ African adventure does not start far from home

Stellenbosch’s first away game in African club competition is to be played in South Africa, as their opponents from Eswatini do not have a home ground.

The kingdom is one of more than 20 countries who have been banned from hosting international matches at their own stadiums after inspection by the Confederation of African Football found facilities below standard.

It means that Nsingizini Hotspurs, who have been drawn against Stellenbosch in the first round of the African Confederation Cup, will be hosting the first leg of their tie at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, August 17. The match kicks off at 3pm.

Stellenbosch will then host the return leg one week later on August 24, but their efforts to have the Danie Craven Stadium passed by CAF for use have been unsuccessful, club officials said.

They are now hoping to use the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town for the second leg of the tie, although this stadium will also need to be inspected and passed fit by CAF.

The nearest stadium for Stellenbosch that has already been given the green light by CAF is the Cape Town Stadium, which is where the club from the Winelands might eventually be forced to play.

Both Stellenbosch and Hotspur are making their debut in African club competition this season. The South African club qualified after finishing third in the league last season while Hotspurs were runners-up in Eswatini.

The winner of the tie will advance to the second round in September, to meet AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo.