By David Gold
January 3 – Swaziland have withdrawn from qualifiers for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of this month’s first round tie with Seychelles, and now risk being thrown out of the 2015 tournament.
They also face a fine after being forced to pull out due to financial constraints.
The first leg was due to be played on (Saturday) January 7 in Seychelles, with the return a week later, and the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) chief executive Frederick Mngomezulu explained the reasoning behind their decision.
“The main reason we had to withdraw the squad is the non-availability of funds to honour the two matches against Seychelles,” he was quoted as saying by the Swazi Observer.
“This is especially in view of the fact that some finances are needed to be expended before the matches, especially those that relate with referees flight expenses and allowances, which are given out in advance of matches.
“The NFAS has to make confirmations and logistical arrangements with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the opposition team and other stakeholders within a given timeframe in terms of the regulations.
“Guarantees have to be made with suppliers of essential services for the preparation and camping of the local team as well as hosting of the visiting team and referees.
“These guarantees also include flight expenses for the local team when honouring their away match.
“To make such guarantees there must be guarantees on finances.”
Last month they were only able to play a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Democratic Republic of Congo after their Government intervened, before going down to an 8-2 defeat on aggregate, and Mngomezulu said that they were still feeling the financial effects of that clash.
“There are still some outstanding amounts that have to be settled with respect to the last assignment against DR Congo, which relate to officials and players allowances and other expenses,” he explained.
It is the third time Swaziland has withdrawn from African Nations Cup qualifiers in recent times, whilst in the 1990s the NFAS forgot to register the team to take part in World Cup qualifying.
Seychelles now receive a bye to the next round, where they will face DR Congo.
News 24 have reported that Swaziland now faces a real risk of being fined by CAF following the withdrawal.
The 2015 African Nations Cup is due to take place in Morocco, whilst next year’s event will be held in South Africa, originally slated to host the 2017 tournament, before they swapped with Libya.
Swaziland is now seeking help from Egypt to help them resolve its financial problems, which resulted from the 2009 recession which hit South Africa, whom they are largely dependent on for Government income.
Qualifying for the 2013 African Nations Cup gets underway in the next week, a fortnight ahead of the 2012 competition being held by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
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