THE U20 NATIONAL TEAM GEARS UP FOR THE TOTALENERGIES AFCON | COSAFA QUALIFIER 2024
The U20 Men’s National Team which is currently in full-time camp at the EFA’s Technical Centre is gearing up for the upcoming TotalEnergies U20 AFCON | COSAFA Qualifier 2024 to be held in Maputo, Mozambique as from the 26th – 5th October 2024. Eswatini is in Group A together with Mozambique, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
The Eswatini U20 Men’s National Team head coach Mduduzi Nxumalo when addressing the members of the member during the open media day, highlighted that the preparations are going very well and they want to play very well. “The preparations are going very well. As a team, we want to play very well regardless that we are in a tough group,” Nxumalo said.
Some of the players in the national team graduated from the U17 National Team and others were identified from the regional visits done by the national team early this year as an effort to boost the squad. The Tinkhundla U20 Tournament also enhanced the talent identification. “The visits that was made to the various regions early this year and the recently implemented Tinkhundla Tournament helped us in identifying the right talent for the national team,” Nxumalo said.
The head coach’s words were echoed by the national team captain Luyanda Nhlengetfwa who is one of the players that graduated from the U17 national team. “The preparations are going very well. Having some players who played together in the U17 national team and the international friendly matches that we played have enhanced our readiness for this tournament”, said the confident skipper.
South African based striker, Phiwayinkhosi Dube who plays for the TUT U19 Team expressed her delight for getting his maiden call up to the national team and also stated that they believe they can do well in the tournament. “I am exited in taking up the challenge and getting the call up. Getting national team caps will enhance my football career. We are a strong group of players and we can do well in the tournament”, Dube said.