Eswatini Football Association
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WE WILL DO OUR LEVEL BEST- SIHLANGU STARS
The Sihlangu SeMnikati players have promised the nation that they will do their level best when they play against Egypt on the back-to back fixture. This team is made out of both the experience and youngster’s in as far as national team football is concerned. The national team captain, Tony Tsabedze highlighted that even though these are difficult fixtures; they are capable enough of making surprises as they have done it before. “We have played against big teams in Africa before and got positive results and we will try to do so even this time around even though this is a difficult fixture but we have to learn from such games”; the skipper said.
His words were echoed by Sizolwethu “Nunu” Shabalala who stated that the real business will be done in the field of play. “The Egyptians are world stars, but that holds no water as the real business will be done in the field of play”; Shabalala said. This youngster is steadily maturing like wine as he has demonstrated at club level together with his team mate Richard Mccresh who got his maiden cap recently against Tunisia. “It is good that the national team coaches have recognized us as youngsters which is good that my effort at club level have been recognized”; Shabalala said.
SIHLANGU PLAYERS FOR THE FULL TIME CAMP IN PREPARATIONS OF THE EGYPT MATCH
The Senior National Team Interim Head Coach, Anthony Mdluli has named 25 players who are due for a full time camp that will commence on Sunday, 30th September 2018 at the Technical Centre in Lobamba. The list of players are as follows:
GOALKEEPERS
Sandanezwe Mathabela (Mbabane Swallows FC), Nhlanhla Gwebu (Young Buffaloes FC), Phephisani Msibi (Royal Leopards FC))
DEFENDERS
Siboniso Mamba (Young Buffaloes FC), Banele Dlamini (Green Mamba FC), Sifiso Nkambule (Royal Leopards FC), Wandile Maseko (Young Buffaloes FC), Machawe Dlamini ( Royal Leopards FC), Lindo Mkhonta (Young Buffaloes FC), Sihlangu Mkhwanazi (Young Buffaloes FC)
MIDFIELDERS
Felix Badenhorst (Mbombela United FC), Richard Mccreesh (Mbabane Swallows FC), Mxolisi Mkhontfo (Green Mamba FC), Siboniso Ngwenya (Young Buffaloes FC), Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopards FC) Sibonginkhosi Gamedze (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Tony Tsabedze (Mbabane Swallowas FC), Fanelo Mamba (Young Buffaloes FC
STRIKERS
Barry Steenkamp (Royal Leopards FC), Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini (Young Buffaloes FC), Mthunzi Mkhontfo (Green Mamba FC), Sizolwethu Shabalala (Mbabane Swallows FC), Justice Figareido (Maritzburg United FC), Sandile Gamedze (Young Buffaloes FC), Lungelo Tsabedze (Royal Leopards FC)
THE FIFA MA GOALKEEPING COURSE PARTICIPANTS URGED TO WORK HARD
“A dream doesn’t become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work”; said former American Statesman, Colin Powell. This were exactly the same were communicated to the participants of the FIFA MA Goalkeeping Course during the official closing ceremony at the Technical Centre in Lobamba. This course was closed by the Vice President of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Dr. Comfort Shongwe in an event that was also attended by EFA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Frederick Mngomezulu and the FIFA Instructor, Alenjadro Heredia just to mention but a few.
“Keep on studying very hard as football is a dynamic sport”; Shongwe said. The Vice President also urged these coaches to use the knowledge that they got from this course by training more people. He also urged all stakeholders of football to play their respective roles in order to enhance the development of football. “By implementing such courses, the football association is playing her role which is an indication that the organization is working for the country as it is empowering the nation”; Shongwe said.
The FIFA Instructor echoed the Vice President’s words by urging the participants to go and work as they are now empowered with knowledge. “For you, it’s not the end of the course, but the beginning as you have to go back and do more work. You don’t have to wait for the football association to push you”; Heredia said. He also assured them that there are a lot of goalkeepers in the country who needs more knowledge to improve their game of which they are now tasked in empowering them. The FIFA Instructor is expected to leave the country tomorrow after spending a full week in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
THE FIFA MA GOALKEEPING COURSE PARTICIPANTS URGED TO WORK HARD
“A dream doesn’t become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work”; said former American Statesman, Colin Powell. This were exactly the same were communicated to the participants of the FIFA MA Goalkeeping Course during the official closing ceremony at the Technical Centre in Lobamba. This course was closed by the Vice President of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Dr. Comfort Shongwe in an event that was also attended by EFA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Frederick Mngomezulu and the FIFA Instructor, Alenjadro Heredia just to mention but a few.
“Keep on studying very hard as football is a dynamic sport”; Shongwe said. The Vice President also urged these coaches to use the knowledge that they got from this course by training more people. He also urged all stakeholders of football to play their respective roles in order to enhance the development of football. “By implementing such courses, the football association is playing her role which is an indication that the organization is working for the country as it is empowering the nation”; Shongwe said.
The FIFA Instructor echoed the Vice President’s words by urging the participants to go and work as they are now empowered with knowledge. “For you, it’s not the end of the course, but the beginning as you have to go back and do more work. You don’t have to wait for the football association to push you”; Heredia said. He also assured them that there are a lot of goalkeepers in the country who needs more knowledge to improve their game of which they are now tasked in empowering them. The FIFA Instructor is expected to leave the country tomorrow after spending a full week in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
EFA PRESIDENT OFFICIALLY OPENS THE FIFA MA GOALKEEPING COURSE
The President of the Eswatini Football Association Mr. Adam Mthethwa has officially opened the FIFA MA Goalkeeping Course at the Technical Centre in Lobamba in an event that was held on Monday, 11th September 2018. In this course, there are 25 participants who are the goalkeeping coaches who have recently completed the basic goalkeeping course.
In his remarks, the President acknowledged FIFA for her continuous support towards the development of football in the country. He also emphasised the importance of having a good goalkeeper in a football team as he/ she is the last line of defence. “This course is important as in a successful football team, the must be a good goalkeeper who is also the last line of defence”; Mthethwa said.
The FIFA Goalkeeping Instructor, Alejandro Heredia thanked the football association for the hospitality thus far and also congratulated the participants for being part of this course. He also highlighted the importance of having a good goalkeeper in a football team as he/she contributes a lot to the success of the team. “A good goalkeeper is a vital member of a football team as his performance has a huge impact to the success of a football team”; Heredia said. This course will end on Friday, 14th September 2018.
FIFA INSTRUCTOR IMPRESSED ABOUT SIHLANGU’S PERFORMANCE
The FIFA Instructor Alejandro Heredia who is currently facilitating the FIFA MA Goalkeeping Course at the Technical Centre in Lobamba was impressed about the overall performance of Sihlangu SeMnikati against the top rank national team in Africa, Tunisia. This was after the local side lost by 2-0 in a TOTAL Africa Cup of Nations match that was played on Sunday, 9th September 2018 at the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini.
“Even though the local side didn’t start the match very well, the was some great improvement as the game progressed more especially in the second half”; Heredia said. The former Bafana Bafana Goalkeeper Coach noted that Sihlangu SeMnikati lost the match due to the two first half mistakes that were committed early in the match. “The Eswatini side committed two mistakes in the first half and playing against professional sides of Tunisia’s calibre, you will definitely be punished; and if it wasn’t for those errors, the match would have ended in a no goal stalemate”; the FIFA Instructor said. He also urged the local technical bench to help the current team to improve from where it left at the end of the game as it looks promising.
SITSEBE SAMHLEKAZI IN PORT ELIZABETH
The Senior Women’s National Team, Sitsebe SaMhlekazi is in Port Elizabeth in the Republic of South Africa for the 2018 COSAFA Women Championships that kicks off on Wednesday, 12th September 2018 and ends on Saturday, 22nd September 2018. The delegation of the national team includes 20 players and 10 officials. The Head of Delegation is the Eswatini Football Association’s (EFA’s) Executive Committee Member and Chairman of the Women Football Association, Sonnyboy Mabuza.
Sitsebe SaMhlekazi will be in action for their opening match of the competition against Uganda who is one of the guest nations in the championship on Wednesday, 12th September with the second match on Friday, 14th September and the final group match on Monday, 17th September 2018. The local side is in group C and all these matches will kick-off at 1300hrs. The are 12 countries participating in this competition and they are grouped into 3 groups with the group winners and the best runner-up progressing to the semi-finals.
Sitsebe SaMhlekazi comprises of the following players:
Nandipha Mkhwanazi, Nokwanda Mamba,Nokuthula Dlamini, Lungile Dlamini, Eunice Mbuli, Mazwi Dube, Sibonelo Gwebu, Nonhle Simelane, Phumzile Dlamini, Celiwe Nkambule, Cebile Shongwe, Sihle Dlamini, Nomvula Sanga, Nomcebo Dlamini, Welile Nxumalo, Siphesihle Simelane, Nombuso Mamba, Noxolo Malinga, Thulisile Dvuba,Tenanile Ngcamphalala.
LOBAMBA NATIONAL DOMINATES IN THE FUTSAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Futsal is a 5-aside game that is similar to football but it is played in-doors and out-doors. This sport immensely contributes to the development of a player thus Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has implemented the futsal development programme in schools (primary and high schools). This year’s programme commenced from the zonal phase with the national stages being the climax of this development programme.
Under the primary schools categories; there were U13 boys and U15 girls’ competitions. In both categories; Lobamba National Primary School was crowned champions. As for the high schools category; there were U17 boys and U19 girls’ competitions respectively. In the boys’ competition, Lobamba National High school won the championship whilst in the girls’ competition the championship was won by St. Mary’s High School.
According to the Technical Director of EFA Bhekisisa Mkhonta; these championships were a huge success. He also highlighted that the major aim for this development programme is to have futsal being played country-wide and also produce good players. “Our aim is to have this sport being played country-wide and also produce quality players through this football development programme.” Mkhonta said.
EFA ACKNOWLEDGES THE PRESENCE OF HIS MAJESTY KING MSWATI III DURING THE EPTC CHARITY CUP TOURNAMENT
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) and the football family at large has extends a special tribute and momentous gratitude to His Majesty King Mswati III together with the Royal Household for gracing the 17th edition of the Eswatini Post and telecommunications (EPTC) Charity Cup Competition. “As a football association and family, we are humbled by His Majesty’s attendance of which His presence gave this event the glamour and Royal extravagance”, read the by the football association. The EFA also sincerely extended the voice of thanks and gratitude to His Majesty The King Mswati III’s Government for the upliftment of the Somhlolo National Stadium through the witnessed hand-over and the maiden usage of the new and improved lightening system in the field of play. “This will greatly enhance the efforts of developing football in the country; of which infrastructure development is one of the key pillars and a basic foundation for competitions’’; the football association said.
Further appreciation went to the Head of Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, his Cabinet and Civil Service, EPTC, Football Family, Invited Guests, Fans and the Media for being part of this historic event as all these stakeholders were the principal reason for the whole success of this event.
In conclusion; the EFA congratulated the champions; Mbabane Swallows FC; both the senior and U20 teams respectively for successfully defending their titles in both the senor and U20 categories. Further congratulations went to the participating teams as they also played very well and thus they were capable enough to be champions on the day. “None of such could have been actualized without the sponsors, EPTC and the EPTC Charity Cup Organizing Committee who presented a well- coordinated programme from its launch to the very end of this edition. “The football family remains greatly indebted to EPTC and through this competition a lot of lives are being touched as charity is the ultimate winner”; read part of the statement.
THE FIFA MA REFEREEING COURSE OFFICIALLY OPENED
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Adam Mthethwa officially opened the FIFA MA Refereeing Course that is currently taking place at the Technical Centre in Lobamba. This course prepares the referees for the upcoming football season. In his remarks, the President expressed the football association’s excitement in witnessing people who show some commitment in becoming very good referees. “As the Eswatini Football Association, we are very happy to see people who have the intention of being very good referees, thus EFA is proud of you referees as to be one; you have to be brave and also we have to consider the fact that it is very difficult to recruit referees”; Mthethwa said. He also promised the referees that the football association will always support them.
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