U23 READY TO MAKE HISTORY IN OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

The Eswatini U23 Men’s National Team is determined to make its mark in the Olympic Qualifiers, with Head Coach Friday Myeni confident that his charges are well prepared for their first-round encounter against Malawi.

The two sides will meet in the first leg in Malawi on Tuesday, 29 September, before Eswatini hosts the return leg on Tuesday, 6 October.

The U23 squad held its Media Day at the EFA Technical Centre on Wednesday, giving the technical team and players an opportunity to outline their preparations and ambitions ahead of the crucial two-legged encounter.

Myeni said preparations have progressed well, with the extended training period and support from the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) allowing the technical team sufficient time to assess a large group of players before finalising the squad.

“We have had enough time to prepare, and the support from EFA has made everything possible. The time we were given also allowed us to work with a large group before trimming the squad,” said Myeni.

The coach explained that CAF age eligibility regulations also played a role in determining the final squad, with the technical team having to release some players who did not meet the competition’s age requirements.

Despite the changes, Myeni remains satisfied with the quality of the group that will carry Eswatini’s hopes in the qualifiers.

“The players we have now are also good players. We were also waiting for the U20 team to return because there are players there whom we had identified and wanted to bring into this group,” he added.

Mental preparation key

With the physical preparations largely completed, Myeni believes the focus must now shift towards ensuring that the players are mentally ready for the demands of international Olympic qualifying football.

“We are on the right track with the preparations. What is left now is the mental preparation because for some of these players, this will be their first time playing at this stage. Most of them have, however, represented the country in other junior national teams,” he said.

The coach also acknowledged the workload faced during the early stages of the camp, particularly as most domestic clubs were in their off-season when the national team began preparations.

“This was a huge workload for the technical team, but we managed it. The players are now fit and ready,” Myeni explained.

Beyond the immediate qualifiers, the coach sees the campaign as part of a broader player-development pathway aimed at producing footballers capable of making the transition to the senior national team.

“Our goal is not only to produce players who will shine at U23 level. We want to develop players who can go on to the senior national team, merge with other players coming through the junior national teams and produce good results for the country,” he said.

Players determined to make history

U23 captain Luyanda Nhlengetfwa says the players are fully aware of the responsibility that comes with representing Eswatini and are determined to repay the confidence placed in them by the nation.

“We know that emaSwati believe in us. We also know where our country is ranked, but as the U23 team, we are going to give everything we have to win these games,” said Nhlengetfwa.

The captain believes the team can go beyond simply negotiating the opening round, with the possibility of progressing through the qualifying stages providing the players with an opportunity to create a historic moment for Eswatini football.

“We want to go as far as possible and break the record by becoming the first group to qualify for a major international tournament. That gives us extra motivation,” he added.

His teammate Bongumenzi Khumalo shared the captain’s ambition, emphasising the team’s commitment to achieving its objective.

“It is our wish to break the record. We are working very hard and we will continue giving our best to achieve that goal,” said Khumalo.

With preparations entering their final phase, the U23 side now turns its attention to Malawi, knowing that the first leg will provide the opening chapter of what the players hope will become a historic Olympic qualifying journey.

The team will look to carry the support of emaSwati into both legs as it seeks to take another significant step in the development of the country’s next generation of senior internationals.