EFA, FIFA JOIN FORCES TO ELEVATE ESWATINI’S REFEREEING STANDARDS AHEAD OF THE 2026/27 SEASON

The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has launched a five-day FIFA Member Association (MA) Elite Referees Course aimed at strengthening the quality of officiating and preparing the country’s top match officials for the 2026/27 football season.

The course, taking place from 3 to 7 August 2026 at the Lobamba Technical Centre, brings together 30 elite referees from across Eswatini for an intensive programme combining theoretical instruction with practical field training. The official opening was conducted by EFA President Mr Peter Simelane, who was joined by EFA General Secretary Mr Frederick Mngomezulu and EFA Executive Member and Chairman of the Referees Committee, Mr Scelo Nene.

The course is being facilitated by experienced FIFA Referees Instructors Ms Gladys Lengwe of Zambia and Mr Mark Mzengo of Malawi, who will guide participants through the latest developments in modern football officiating.

Addressing the participants during the opening ceremony, Ms Lengwe thanked the Eswatini Football Association for hosting the programme and acknowledged FIFA’s unwavering commitment to developing football through the continuous education and professional growth of referees.

“One of FIFA’s key priorities is development, and refereeing is an essential part of ensuring that football competitions are conducted successfully. This course is therefore an important investment in the future of Eswatini football,” she said.

She explained that the programme has been carefully designed to equip referees with the latest interpretations of the Laws of the Game. Classroom sessions will focus on critical aspects of officiating, including offside decisions, handball offences, foul recognition, positioning, match management and recent law amendments. These lessons will be complemented by practical sessions on the field, enabling participants to apply the knowledge in realistic match situations.

Ms Lengwe challenged the referees to approach the course with discipline, commitment and a willingness to continuously improve, stressing that long-term success depends largely on individual effort.

“The knowledge shared during this course accounts for only about 20 percent of your development. The remaining 80 percent depends on your own commitment, discipline and willingness to continue learning. If you apply yourselves, there is no reason why some of you cannot go on to officiate at major CAF and FIFA competitions in the future,” she said.

Officially opening the course, EFA President Mr Peter Simelane expressed appreciation to FIFA for its continued investment in football development in Eswatini and for deploying highly experienced instructors to share international best practices with the country’s elite referees.

He noted that the course comes at an important time as referees prepare for the start of the 2026/27 football season, adding that the quality of officiating plays a vital role in protecting the integrity, credibility and competitiveness of football.

Mr Simelane encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity by embracing continuous learning and striving for excellence in every assignment.

He pointed to Eswatini’s FIFA Video Assistant Referee, Letticia Viana, as an inspiring example of what dedication, professionalism and continuous development can achieve. Currently officiating at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Viana has also secured an appointment to the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, demonstrating that Eswatini officials can compete successfully on the global stage.

The FIFA MA Elite Referees Course forms part of the Eswatini Football Association’s ongoing strategy to enhance officiating standards through continuous capacity building, ensuring that referees remain equipped with the technical knowledge, physical preparedness and decision-making skills required to meet the demands of the modern game.

By investing in referee development, the EFA continues to strengthen one of the most critical pillars of football, ensuring that competitions across the country are managed professionally, fairly and in accordance with international standards.