Mamelodi Sundowns’ Denis Onyango Highlights Struggles of African Teams Forced to Play Continental Matches Away from Home in Response to CAF’s Stadium Accreditation Standards

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Denis Onyango Highlights Struggles of African Teams Forced to Play Continental Matches Away from Home in Response to CAF’s Stadium Accreditation Standards

Denis Onyango, the seasoned goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns, has recently shed light on the difficulties faced by African teams due to CAF’s stringent stadium accreditation requirements.

The issue has become quite significant, as many clubs participating in continental competitions are finding themselves playing their home matches in foreign lands because their own stadiums don’t meet CAF’s standards.

A Case in Point: Nsingizini Hotspurs’ Struggles

A notable example is Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs, who had to play their preliminary round match of the CAF Confederation Cup against Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

Unfortunately, Nsingizini suffered a heavy defeat, losing 8-0 on aggregate.

This result highlights how playing away from home can severely impact a team’s performance.

The Issue Persists: Mbabane Swallows’ Upcoming Match

The situation is ongoing, as evidenced by another Eswatini team, Mbabane Swallows, who will host Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on September 14 in their first-leg tie for the Champions League group stage.

This is another instance where the home advantage is lost due to the unavailability of suitable local facilities.

Impact on National Teams

This problem isn’t limited to club teams; national teams like Zimbabwe also face similar challenges, often being forced to play their home matches in other countries.

Denis Onyango’s Call for Improved Facilities

Denis Onyango has emphasized the need for more and better facilities to address these issues.

He pointed out that federations must work harder to build and upgrade stadiums to meet CAF’s standards.

According to Onyango, playing home games away from home puts the team at a disadvantage.

“Every team benefits from playing at home,” he noted, stressing the importance of home advantage and the impact of travel on team performance.

The Importance of Proper Facilities

Onyango also highlighted how inadequate facilities, especially artificial pitches, can negatively affect the game.

He referenced the challenges faced during the Bafana Bafana’s match against South Sudan in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, where artificial surfaces led to more severe injuries.

He stressed that better facilities are crucial for player safety and for improving the overall quality of football in Africa.

Looking Ahead: Improving African Football

Onyango’s remarks underscore a broader need for investment in football infrastructure across the continent.

To bring African football up to par with international standards, it’s vital to enhance facilities and provide better support to teams, ensuring that home advantage and player safety are not compromised.

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