Eswatini Football Association
P. O Box 641 , Mbabane, Eswatini, Sigwaca House H100
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SECOND WINDOW REGISTRATION PERIOD
The National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) would like to remind its Members and football Clubs that the second window of registration period will commence on Monday, 8th January 2018 to Friday, 2nd February 2018. All affected parties are expected to observe and prepare in advance for this period as there will be no extension to the registration period; as regulated by FIFA. All registrations are expected to have concluded by the last day of registration.
U20 MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM -OUT OF THE MAPONI COPPER MINES U20 COSAFA CUP
The U20 Men’s National Team has been eliminated in the on-going Maponi COSAFA U20 Men’s competition currently held in Kitwe, Zambia. This tournament didn’t go very well for the local U20 national team as it exited the competition whilst occupying the bottom of Group A position with just a single point.
Out of the 3 matches the local lads played in the tournament; they drew 1 match against Uganda who participated as a guest nation and they lost 2 matches against Malawi and the host nation, Zambia. A total of 4 goals were scored by the U20 national team whilst it conceded 7 goals. In terms of individual success; Muzi Tsabedze was selected as the player of the match for the game against Uganda. As the competition; they are scheduled to return back home on Wednesday, 13th December 2017.
U20 MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OFF TO KITWE, ZAMBIA
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
MVA INGWENYAMA REGIONAL CUP KIT PRESENTATION
The finalists of the MVA Ingwenyama Cup were presented with their soccer kits to be used in tomorrow’s match at the King Sobhuza II Stadium. These football clubs ae City Warriors who got the red kit and Young Movers who got the blue kit. In his opening remarks; the MVA Ingwenyama Cup Public Relations Officer (PRO) Nkosilenhle Masuku highlighted that the standard of play is very high. “When you consider that the regional defending champions of this competition are out; it is an indication about the high competitiveness of the tournament”; he said. The PRO also acknowledged Ngwane College as it is the only tertiary institution with a football club that compete in national football competitions and most significantly to reach the play-off stage is an achievement on its own. “Let’s acknowledge Ngwane College FC for being the only tertiary institution to be involved in national football competitions of this calibre”; he said.
Also addressing the audience was the National Football association of Swaziland (NFAS) President; Senator Adam Mthethwa who acknowledge MVA for marketing football through this competition. “Thanks you MVA for marketing our football through this competition”; he said. He also thanked the football family and fans for the good conduct since the first edition of this competition and promised the sponsor that this will always be the behaviour. Finally; he invited the fans to go to the stadium and enjoy the beautiful gamer of football.
MVA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Helmon Vilakati thanked His Majesty King Mswati II for this competition as it use football and culture to unite the Swazi Nation. “This is a good journey so far; and thank you, Your Majesty for this competition as it uses football and culture in unifying the nation which is very much unique. Vilakati also thanked the nation for supporting this competition thus far. As this is the last edition of the 3 year- contract; he highlighted that the future of this tournament will be decided by His Majesty King Mswati III as it is His tournament. “The King will give us the wise direction as this competition is owned by him”; he said. The CEO also expressed the sponsor’s delight in as far as the standard of play is concerned. On a business note; he highlighted that the MVA brand has been enriched due to this competition.
The last speaker of this event was the representative of the tournament’s Chairman; Prince Chief Sibonginkosi Dlamini who challenged these regional clubs to go all the way and be National Champions. “I challenge these regional football clubs to go all the way and be national champions “; he said. He also shared to the audience how much the King likes football. “The King likes football as He follows everything about the beautiful game more especially this competition”; he said. On a lighter note, he told the audience that the King always comments about the heaviness of the MVA Ingwenyama Cup Competition needs one to properly balance to be able to lift it successfully thus he hope the sponsorship will also sore and be as heavy as the trophy.
THE NFAS ACKNOWLEDGES MBABANE SWALLOWS FC FOR THE CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR NOMINATION
The National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) and the football family at large would like to express congratulatory remarks to Mbabane Swallows FC for their nomination by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the CAF Clubs of the year award. Over and above that; the NFAS acknowledges the efforts of other stakeholders in local football in the development of the game which had a positive effect to Mbabane Swallows FC’s success in both local and international competition in the 2016/2017 football season. Their exploits as a team; has enriched our football brand, the Premier League of Swaziland (PLS), which will have a positive effect on the Senior Men’s National team (Sihlangu SeMnikati) as Mbabane Swallows FC contributes a couple of players to the national team. This success also markets the country in Africa and the world at large is now aware that Mbabane Swallows FC is from Swaziland. The NFAS wishes Mbabane Swallows FC the very best of luck as the voting continues.
AFCON 2019 QUALIFIERS UPDATES
Following the earlier request to CAF by the AFCON teams that have qualified for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Finals; to have the Qualifier matches of the Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2019, which were scheduled for March 2018; the CAF Executive Committee in their meeting held in Rabat, Morocco on the 16th November 2017, approved the said request. An official communication to this effect has now been received by the office of the NFAS.
New dates for the AFCON 2019 Qualifiers
In view of the approval to postpone the matches; CAF had to recognize the calendar of matches to set new dates for the qualifiers wherein now the month of March 2018, is now set for International Friendly matches with the qualifiers now scheduled to take place in September 2018; October 2018; November 2018 and March 2019. The finals for AFCON Cameroon 2019 Qualifiers, for the first time will now take place in the period of June/July 2019.
Adjustment of Preparation Plan of Sihlangu
In reaction to the newly adjusted dates, the NFAS which had already drawn a plan of action/ preparation towards such preparations, will next Thursday, 30 November 2017, present to the Executive Committee a proposed programme for implementation from this December 2017 through to March 2019, when the qualifiers conclude. As dedicated by CAF, the month of March 2018 will be utilized for international friendly matches.
International Friendly Matches outside the FIFA Week
As has been the case in previous years, where the NFAS will arrange matches and training camps outside, the FIFA week, the NFAS, in its newly adapted programme will look into arranging international friendly matches and training camps outside the normal period to step-up the preparations of the team. In this aspect, the relevant stakeholders will be contacted.
The new plan/programme to be implemented will be communicated after the 30th November 2017, scheduled Executive Committee meeting; wherein the subject will be discussed in detail, with the relevant decisions made, especially taking into consideration the various stakeholders; domestic competitions, and club international competitions.
Other Intervening Competitions
Otherwise, the new developments will not stop the implementation of the activities of the national team as there are other competitions that may intervene in the period, like the COSAFA Cup 2018, which is also anticipated to be played before the next AFCON Qualifier matches.
FIFA CONNECT WORKSHOPS
The National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) will conduct more FIFA Connect Workshops in preparations for the second window registration period which will commence on Tuesday, 8th January to Friday, 2nd February 2018 as per the registration of players and clubs for the 2017/2018 football season under Circular No. 106 Football Clubs are requested to send their currently trained registration officers. The schedule of these FIFA Connect Workshops is as follows:
|
DATE |
LEAGUE |
VENUE |
TIME |
|
22/11/2017 |
Premier League |
Sigwaca |
1800hrs |
|
23/11/2017 |
National First Division |
Sigwaca |
1800hrs |
|
25/11/2017 |
Hhohho Super League |
Sigwaca House |
0900hrs |
|
29/11/2017 |
Junior Leagues |
Sigwaca House |
1800hrs |
|
02/12/2017 |
Manzini Super League |
TBA |
0900hrs |
|
03/12/2017 |
Lubombo Super League |
TBA |
0900hrs |
|
09/12/2017 |
Shiselweni Supper League |
TBA |
0900hrs |
KHUBA TRADERS PLOUGH BACK E30 000 TO THE MANZINI SOUTH FOOTBALL COMPETITION
Football is a beautiful game that unites people of all walks of life. This will be the case in the Manzini South constituency, come December holidays as football players and fans will be enjoying the beautiful game with their loved ones. Tikhuba Traders which sells agricultural products through the Manzini south Member of Parliament (MP) Owen Nxumalo who is also the Minister of Public Service sponsored a football tournament that will be staged during the December holidays. Present during this event were 3 Cabinet Ministers. These were, Minister David Ngcamphalala, Minister Christopher Gamedze, Minister Owen Nxumalo; President of the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS), Senator Adam Mthethwa; Chairman of the Premier league of Swaziland (PLS), Mr. Victor Gamedze; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NFAS, Frederick Mngomezulu and the Director of Khuba Traders, Mr. Bradley Young just to mention a few.
When presenting the E30, 000.00 cheques, the Director of Khuba Traders expressed his company’s excitement of being involved in football development over the past years as they have been sponsoring this competition for the past 3 years. “As Khuba Traders, we are proud and also excited to be involved in football development in the country and more especially at grassroots level”, he said. The Director also highlighted that it is on of the dreams for his organization to invest in a similar fashion in the other parts of the country as football plays a significant role in the socio- development of the country.
When reacting to the sponsorship, the Cabinet Ministers acknowledged Khuba Traders for enhancing His Majesty’s Government’s effort in developing sports in the country. Minister Christopher Gamedze appreciated the sponsor for this corporate social investment (CSI) initiative as it plays a great role in the development of football in the country. “We are very much happy with this CSI initiative by Khuba Traders as it develops football from grassroots level”, he said. Minister David Ngcamphalala also thanked the sponsor for this investment into sports and also thanked Minister Owen Nxumalo for getting this sponsorship on behalf of the Manzini South Constituency. “We thank the sponsor for this investment into sports as it will also enhance the fight against crime in the Manzini south Constituency thus developing the country”, he said.
The PLS Chairman also expressed his appreciation on behalf of the football family to the sponsor. “As football family, we thank Khuba Traders for this sponsorship as it is a sign of love to the sport than the marketing element of the sponsorship”, he said. He also acknowledged Minister Owen Nxumalo’s effort in convincing the sponsor to invest in the Manzini South Constituency through football as it wasn’t a stroll in the park. The MP of the Manzini South Constituency also thanked the sponsor for investing in this competition for the past 3 years.
CLARIFICATION ON THE FITNESS TESTING OF THE CAF SUSPENDED REFEREES
The National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) with respect to the participation of CAF Suspended Referees; Thulani Sibandze and Petros Mbingo; hereby states the referees in question were given a green light to participate in the fitness tests primarily to keep them in good physical/ fitness shape for their resumption of duties once their suspension has elapsed.
The very referees; in spite of their suspension; were allowed to participate in a fitness test earlier; in Maputo, Mozambique together with FIFA Accredited referees that could not be successful in the initial fitness test hosted in Swaziland at the instance of the FIFA MA Refereeing Course in August 2017; particularly given that they needed to have passed a fitness test for any possible international registration and they are still members or a part of the current 2017 FIFA Lists of Referees and Assistant Referees. All of these have been done in consultation with the pertinent authorities.
ELIGIBILITY OF SUSPENDED REFEREES TO OFFICIATE IN DOMESTIC COMPETITIONS
Further note that the suspended referees; Thulani Sibandze and Petros Mbingo are now eligible to officiate in domestic competitions, subject to them passing the statutory fitness tests conducted under the authority of the Referees Committee within the NFAS. This therefore implies that if they participated and passed the recently hosted fitness tests of the 12th November 2017, they are immediately available for consideration for refereeing responsibilities under the auspices of the NFAS. This decision has been done in communication with the relevant authorities on their issues.
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