The National U20 Men’s National Team left the country this morning by road for Johannesburg where they will connect a flight to Kitwe, Zambia for the 2017 Maponi Copper Mines COSAFA U20 Championship. Swaziland is in Group A with Malawi, Uganda and Zambia. Out of the 3 groups, only the group winners and the best runner- up country will qualify for the Semi-Finals stage of the competition. The travelling delegation consists of 20 players plus 5 officials and it is headed by Mr. Sonnyboy Mabuza who is an Executive Member of the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS).
When addressing the players during their sending off function yesterday evening at the Technical Centre in Lobamba; the Vice President of the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS), Dr. Comfort Shongwe challenged the national team to make history by winning the competition. “Go to Zambia and make history by winning this competition and also be good ambassadors for the country in the tournament”, he said. The players of the NFAS were also encouraged by the Vice President of the NFAS to up their game during the completion as there will be a lot of football scouts who will be identifying talent for potential recruitment to bigger football clubs around the world. “There will be a lot of scouts in this competition, so play to impress”, he said. He also told the players that playing football with commitment and respect result in achieving great success in as far as the beautiful game is concerned.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NFAS highlighted that the football association is sending this team to compete in this tournament as part of the football development initiatives by the NFAS as these players are expected to grow in the game of football and end up playing for the Senior Men’s National Team. As part of the football association’s football development programmes; the NFAS is sending the U20 Men’s National Team to compete in this tournament so that the players also get international exposure as they grow in the game of football and end up playing for Sihlangu SeMnikati, he said.
Mandla Dlamini who is the Head Coach of the U20 Men’s National Team reported an injury free squad which is very much motivated. “All the players are well and the players are highly motivated”. He said.
The national team is scheduled to arrive in Zambia this afternoon and their first match is against Malawi at the Arther Davies Stadium on Wednesday 6th December 2017 at 1130hrs. Below is the list of players that formed part of the delegation:
- Lukhele Mlamuli
- Kunene Mzwandile
- Mabuza Mduduzi
- Gamedze Saviola
- Shabalala Nunu
- Matse Ali
- Dlamini Senzo
- Shabangu Menzi
- Tsabedze Muzi
- Msibi Njabulo Colani
- Dlamini Mcedisi
- Manyisa Leon
- Mamba Order
- Maseko Sisekelo
- Magagula Mkhuleko
- Dlamini Wandile
- Dladla Mbuso
- Dlamini Mbutfo
- Yende Pabolla
- Sacolo Wandile