Eswatini Football Association
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The U20 Eswatini Bank Cup was officially launched at the banks Auditorium in Mbabane in an event that was attended by the President of the Eswatini Football association (EFA) Mr. Adam Mthethwa, the Managing Director of Eswatini Bank Mr. Zakhele Lukhele, Chairman of the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Mr Peter Magagula, Chairman of the EFA’s Competitions Committee Mr. Johannes Siboza and the Chairman of the Youth Committee Mr Sonnyboy Mabuza to mention but a few. This year’s edition marks the 7th anniversary of the U20 Eswatini Bank Cup. The total sponsorship for the ‘Idlala Kamnandzi U20 edition is E250 000.00 which shows an increment from last year’s edition which was E240 000.00.
When addressing the gathering, the MD of Eswatini Bank highlighted the importance of youth football in the development of the sport and the nation. “Youth football is very critical in the development of the sport and the nation at large”, Lukhele said. The MD also stated that football plays a great role in the socio-economic development of the country as the youth develop other skills that are very important in their future lives.
The President of the EFA Mr. Adam Mthethwa acknowledged the investment by the bank towards football development in the country. As the national football association, our main mandate is to develop football in the country of which the bank’s contribution towards that is very much acknowledged and even the football’s world governing body FIFA is quite aware of the bank’s investment in the development of the sport in the country”, Mthethwa said. As part of football development, the President also stated that FIFA is going to invest to her members in terms of infrastructure as the football’s governing body will assist her members in the construction of stadiums that will at least meet the minimum standards of a football stadium.
The PLE’s Chairman acknowledged the banks investment towards football development as there are over 50 players that have graduated from this competition and they are now playing elite football with others in the MTN National First Division and the Regional Super Leagues. The Chairman also stressed the importance of conduct during this competition as this is an important product of football. “Coaches ,medical personnel , players and officials must be properly dressed during this competition as image is very important as this is one of the important products of football”, Magagula said. With the draw being made, the U20 Eswatini Bank Cup competition will kick-off next weekend. The draw was as follows:
Mbabane Highlanders FC vs Mbabane Swallows FC
Milling Hotspurs FC vs Royal leopards FC
Mhlume Peacemakers FC vs Manzini Wanderers FC
Moneni Pirates FC vs Tambuti FC
The 17th edition of the Eswatini Bank Cup “idlala kamnadzi’ was officially launched by the Honourable Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth affairs Hon. Harris Bulunga in a specious event that was held at the Royal Swazi Spa Convention Centre in Ezulwini. This event was also attended by the President of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), Mr. Adam Mthethwa, EFA Executive Committee Members, Eswatini Bank Board Members and Management just to mention but a few. The Honourable Minister Harris Bulunga on behalf of His Majesty’s Government acknowledged the Eswatini Bank for partnering with football over the years. “I wish to start off here today Mr. M.D., by expressing, as Government, to the Bank for once again partnering with football and this time for a historic total prize money of E 3.4 Million”, Bulunga said. This is an increase of half a million Emalangeni from the previous edition. The Hon. Minister also express his delight as the bank didn’t only invest on men’s football but also invested on women’s and youth football. “In addition, by also continuously investing in juniors’ tournament (U-20) and women’s cup, the bank has aligned itself with Government’s goal of making sport accessible to all members of the society, known as Sports for all”, Bulunga said.
As a commitment towards the development of sports in the country, the Hon. Minister highlighted that a lot of ground has been covered in as far as the Sports Bill is concerned and also the rehabilitation of the Somhlolo National Stadium is one of the priorities of the Ministry. The Honourable Minister also acknowledged all stakeholders involved in making the Eswatini Bank Cup to be a memorable competition and also asked the football teams to compete in the spirit of fair play.
The football family also acknowledged the bank for growing with football. This was stated by the President of the EFA, Mr. Adam Mthethwa. “As football family, we would like to advance, in special standing, our profound gratitude to Eswatini Bank for the now traditional competition in our annual datebook; the Eswatini Bank Cup. 17 years of partnership and religious investment to the development of the game of football is indeed humbling and deserving a special impression”, Mthethwa said. The President also highlighted that the football family will continue to committee in protecting the investment of the bank to football as it provide a perfect platform of unearthing football talent. More credit was also given to the bank for the continuous investment towards the development of women football in the country. “We are very ecstatic at the increased investment to women football, a gesture surely, that will be a great driver to increase the number and attractiveness of the women’s football game”, Mthethwa said.
The Eswatini Bank has declared her satisfaction in partnering with football over the years. This relationship between the bank and football started in 2004 and is maturing just like wine as the sponsorship package is increasing on a yearly basis. Before announcing this year’s sponsorship package, the Managing Director (MD) of the Eswatini Bank, Mr. Zakhele Lukhele highlighted the bank’s excitement in being associated with football in the country. “The bank has always been proud to be associated with local football, hence the consistent sponsorship over the years”, Lukhele said. He added that, as a sponsor of this competition they believe that both parties are benefiting from this sponsorship. Lukhele also stated that Eswatini Bank is committee to contribute towards the development of football in the country. “As a bank, we are committed to contribute towards the development of football in the country which includes the youth, women and elite football”, Lukhele said.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, the MD wished all the participating football team the very best of luck and to ‘dlala kamnandzi’ as per this year’s slogan of the competition, ‘idlala kamnandzi’.
The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini through the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth affairs has congratulated Dominic Kunene for being employed as the new Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach. In a statement from the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, the Honourable Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Hon. Harries Bulunga expressed congratulatory remarks on behalf of His Majesty’s Government to the new Sihlangu Head coach and the entire technical bench. “The Ministry is extremely pleased to see deserving local coaches being given the opportunity to lead our Senior National Team”; read part of the statement from the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs. The statement also highlighted the Ministry’s confidence in the whole technical bench of the national team. Kunene is assisted by Gcina Dlamini (Assistant Coach), Anthony Mdluli (Goalkeeper Coach) and Mbuso Gina (Physical Fitness Coach).
In conclusion, the Honourable Minister pleaded with the nation to support the new technical bench of Sihlangu. “We now appeal to the nation to offer our new technical all the necessary support as they begin this challenging journey”, read the statement. The first international assignment for the Dominic Kunene lead technical team will be against Congo on the last week of March. This will be a back-to-back clash between Eswatini and Congo with the first leg being an away match for Eswatini and later in the week Sihlangu will host the opposition.
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has acknowledged the Hhohho Regional Football Association for the perfect execution of the Hhohho Youth Football Development Programme as it provided a perfect platform for the Eswatini child to develop his football artistry. “Hhohho is the best region when it comes to youth football in the country as the different age categories are in place which provides a perfect platform for player development” said the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the EFA. He made this remarks during the prize presentation of the U13 Milky-Max Hhohho Youth Football Development Programme held at the Sigwaca House in Mbabane.
Over and above this, the Hhohho Youth Football Development Programmes were being used by the EFA when compiling reports to the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) which made the football association to meet certain requirements by the international governing body. “As per the FIFA Forward Regulations on of the criteria for the Mother Associations (MA’s) is to have a well-managed U20 or U17 competition, of which the Hhohho Regional Football association had spot on leagues on both age categories that with up to date records, thus it was more efficient to send them to FIFA” Mngomezulu said. He encouraged them to continue with the good work and also apply the same formula even on the other leagues that are being managed by them.
The CEO also highlighted that the junior national teams are currently doing well in international competitions due to such football development programme. “The junior national teams did very well during last year’s competition due to such youth football development programmes of which it shows the value of the investments by the sponsors”; Mngomezulu highlighted. He also plead with other organization to also invest in youth football as these players are the future of the game. In return he asked the public to support Parmalat as she also plays a great role in the development of the Eswatini child.
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. This is exactly what Buildit has done to Andiswa Malaza the 2018/19 Buildit U13 National Championship best player. This lad has an educated left foot and he was one of the players who went to the Durban in the Republic of South Africa for a one week training camp in December under the watchful eyes of Amazulu FC’s Youth Development Coaches.
As per the promise, Build it has practised what she preach (Building the Nation) as the organization has presented Andiswa Malaza with a E10 000.00 education bursary for his 2020 academic year. This lad is in form one at Lobamba Lomdzala High School having completed his primary school education last year. Presenting this award was Buildit Store’s Mbabane Manager Eugen Meyer who congratulated Andiswa for his achievement and also acknowledged the 16 years partnership that the organisation is having with the Eswatini Football Association (EFA). “On behalf of Buildit, we would like to congratulate Andiswa and also wish him the very best of luck in the future both academically and in the sport”, Meyer said. He also encouraged the EFA to continue with the good work of developing football in the country by providing the platforms for these youngsters to express themselves through football.
The lad thanked Buildit for this busary as it will assist him in his education. “I would like to thank Buildit , EFA, my Coaches and Parants for supporting me as I play football and Buildit in particular for paying my school fees which will relieve my parents financially at least for this academic year.”, Malaza said. His words were echoed by his father Robert Malaza who also thanked Buildit, EFA and his Coaches the support towards the development of his child.
The Eswatini Football Association’s (EFA’s) Technical Director Bhekisisa Mkhonta has highlighted that education is very much key in the development of a player. He said this during the presentation of a bursary by Buildit to the 2018/19 Buildit U13 National Championship best player Andiswa Malaza in an event held at the Buildit Store in Mbabane.
“We need intelligent players as they are at an advantage to develop faster. In fact, education enhances player performance as they (players) tend to make fruitful decisions”, Mkhonta said. When clarifying the significance of sponsorships in football development programmes, Mkhonta stated that they motivate the lads to go that extra mile and having sponsorships that even provides academic development of the child is like killing two birds with on stone as the child will develop academically and socially. He urged other companies to come on board and invest in the future of the country through football development.
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has hired Domenic Kunene as the new Senior Men’s National Team’s (Sihlangu’s) Head Coach. This post was vacant after the departure of Kostadin Papaic who was the national team’s gaffer as from January to December 2019. Kunene is the Head Coach of Young Buffaloes and he is the former U20 Men’s National Team’s Head Coach. This news were confirmed by the EFA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu. “During the recently held EFA retreat, one of the Agenda items was about the Sihlangu issues of which included the hiring of the new Coach. The Executive Committee Members decided to hire Mr. Dominic Kunene who is the current Young Buffaloes FC Head Coach and former U20 Men’s National Team Head Coach”, said Mngomezulu. Kunene has also appointed his technical team and they are Moneni Pirates FC Head Coach and former U17 Men’s National Team’s Head Coach Gcina Dlamini as his Assistant Coach, Manzini Sea Birds FC and former Senior Women National Team’s Head Coach Anthony Mdluli, and finally Green Mamba FC’s Physical Fitness Coach Mbuso Gina.
It is every player’s dream to play football in the highest leagues in Europe. If that is the case, there are a lot of benefits for that particular player and his/her country of origin. These include social and economic benefits just to mention but a few.
The Eswatini Football Association’s (EFA’s) core mandate is the development of football in the country. This mandate is implemented through the various football development programmes under the auspice of the EFA. One of the ultimate goals for this mandate is the development of quality players that will perform very well for the national team. The EFA has realised that most national team players from other countries are plying their trade in Europe thus their development is of a higher quality compared to our players thus the EFA is in full support of the Eswatini Open Football Trials Programme that will be implemented by the Professional Soccer Management.
“The mandate is to see the national team performing very well and the EFA has realised that other countries are achieving that because their players are plying their trade in Europe which exposes them to more professional set-ups and it comes with a lot of benefits”; said the General Secretary (GS) of the EFA, Frederick Mngomezulu. The GS also highlighted that this opportunity will expose the Eswatini players to an environment with a high level of professionalism which will enhance their performance. “These players will be exposed to an environment that has a high level of professionalism which will enhance their performance”; said Mngomezulu.
He also assured the public that the safety of the players that will make the grade to go to Europe is well guaranteed as they will leave the country as per the rules and regulations that are applied in the transfer of players as per FIFA Statutes. “The players who will make the grade, will leave the country as per the rules and regulations that are in the FIFA Statutes and the laws of the country” the GS stated. These trials will commence as from the 20th and ends on the 30th of January 2020
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has appointed a total of twelve (12) Eswatini Referees and Assistant Referees for both Men and Women into the 2020 FIFA List of Referees and Assistant Referees. The referees are Viana Letticia, Soko Tencwala Rebeccah, Nxumalo Siphiwayinkhosi Cosma, Mkhaliphi Buyisile Patricia, Sibandze Thulani Sabelo Dlamini Njabulo Thembinkosi, Dlamini Thokozani, Siphepho Celumusa, Simelane Zamani Thula, Nxumalo Sifiso Bingo, Mbingo Petros and Magagula Thembinkosi Ndumiso.
“ As opposed to the previous couple of years approval of 2 Referees in the male category, the 2020 appointments reflect a growth and 4 Referees have been appointed, which will now make it possible for an appointment of 2 sets of referees from Eswatini to officiate in international matches”, as per statement. This is a historical and significant growth in refereeing for the country, which has in the current period been one of the strategic objectives of the EFA to increase our referees officiating internationally.
In a similar wavelength, the appointments also see the appointment of a full set of women referees for the first time in the appointment of 2 women referees and 2 assistant women referees, which signifies a steady growth in women refereeing.
Over and above the EFA expressed her congratulatory note to these referees; with the growth being a motivation to the rest of the referees and aspiring referees. “The onus now remains with these appointed Referees and Assistant Referees to work hard and perform well internationally to fortify this growth for the country”, read the statement.
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