EFA STRENGTHENS ELITE REFEREEING AHEAD OF 2026/27 SEASON
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has strengthened its preparations for the 2026/27 football season following the successful completion of the FIFA Member Association (MA) Elite Referees Course, which brought together 30 of the country’s top match officials.
The five-day FIFA-supported programme, held from 3 to 7 August 2026 at the Lobamba Technical Centre, was designed to sharpen the referees’ technical knowledge, decision-making, understanding of the Laws of the Game and overall preparedness for the new football season.
The course was officially closed by EFA President Mr Peter Simelane, who was joined by EFA General Secretary Mr Frederick Mngomezulu. FIFA Referees Instructors Mr Mark Mzengo of Malawi and Ms Gladys Lengwe of Zambia facilitated the programme alongside local referee instructors.
The completion of the course is another significant milestone in the EFA’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of football officiating in the country while creating a stronger pathway for Eswatini referees to compete for CAF and FIFA appointments.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, referee Mr Celumusa Phiri said the programme had provided the officials with valuable knowledge and renewed confidence ahead of the new season.
He said the course had not only strengthened their understanding of the Laws of the Game but had also reminded them of the responsibility that comes with being custodians of fairness and integrity in football.
“As elite referees, we pledge to officiate every match with honesty, professionalism and respect for everyone involved in the game, including the players. We will also continue supporting one another and mentoring young referees because we all have a role to play in improving the standard of refereeing in Eswatini,” said Phiri.
Speaking on behalf of the FIFA instructors, Mr Mark Mzengo praised the referees for their discipline, commitment and cooperation throughout the course.
Mzengo urged the officials to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice, stressing that continuous application, self-assessment and learning would be essential to improving their confidence and decision-making on the field.
He also challenged the referees to set their sights on CAF and FIFA appointments, encouraging them to use the programme as a stepping stone towards achieving greater success at international level.
Closing the course, EFA President Mr Peter Simelane thanked FIFA for its continued support towards referee development in Eswatini and commended the international and local instructors for delivering the programme.
Simelane urged the referees to translate their training into improved performances when they take charge of matches during the 2026/27 season.
“The knowledge acquired during this course must now be translated into action on the field. I urge you to demonstrate professionalism, consistency, confidence and integrity in every match,” said Simelane.
He further encouraged the elite referees to mentor upcoming officials, emphasising the importance of building a sustainable pipeline of refereeing talent in the country.
Simelane reaffirmed the EFA’s commitment to referee development through regular education programmes, fitness testing and the continued use of modern referee support and performance-analysis technology.
The successful completion of the FIFA MA Elite Referees Course comes at a crucial time as Eswatini prepares for the 2026/27 football season. It provides the country’s elite match officials with renewed knowledge and skills while reinforcing the EFA’s broader objective of producing referees capable of performing confidently on both the domestic and international stage.
For the EFA, the programme is not simply a referee training exercise, but a strategic investment in the credibility, integrity and future of football officiating in Eswatini.