South African club set to host Xenophobia tournament

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Aug 02, 2017. 09:00

According to media reports in Swaziland, Mbabane Swallows are invited to participate in the 2017 Xenophobia Cup in South Africa.

It is reported that the four team tournament is set to take place on Sunday, August 6 in Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg and is to be hosted by Jomo Cosmos.

Cosmos are currently campaigning in the South African National First Division and have invited Bulawayo Highlanders of Zimbabwe and Simunye Diaspora, a non-professional team of South African-based foreign nationals.

The Times of Swaziland website has it that a report by the SABC News revealed the tournament will be staged where the four teams will face each other.

Ezenkosi are also set to return to the Vosloorus Stadium in Ekurhuleni (Johannesburg) as their home stadium for the new 2017/18 NFD season.

Fresh from participating at the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal last weekend, Swallows will play in another pre-season tourney.

“We are back where we belong and we are happy that the PSL has approved the ground. All along I’ve been playing in the stadium," said owner and coach of Ezenkosi, Jomo Sono to the SABC.

“I got promoted and then I was told I could not play at the stadium because there are no turnstiles, and they were right.”

On the other hand, Swallows' boss Victor Gamedze confirmed the invitation to the tournament before hinting on a two-week rest thereafter.

“The players have not had a rest for three seasons now and it will help to give the two weeks away before the start of the season,” Gamedze said.

The Xenophobia Cup is meant to promote humanity among South Africans and other nationals from across the continent.