Eswatini Football Association
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SIHLANGU HEAD COACH NAME A 25-PLAYER SQUAD FOR THE FINAL MATCH OF THE TOTALENERGIES AFCON QUALIFIERS
GOALKEEPERS
Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Colani Gama (Green Mamba FC),
Ncamiso Dlamini (Royal Leopard FC)
DEFENDERS
Mlamuli Msibi (Royal Leopard FC), Vusi Vilakati (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Mcolisi Manana (Green Mamba FC), Delisa Gama (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Sibongakonkhe Silenge (Green Mamba FC), Kwakhe Tfwala (Mbabane Swallows FC),Simanga Masangane (Royal Leopard FC),Newman Philiso (Mbabane Swallows FC)
MIDFIELDERS
Mzwandile Mabelesa (Royal Leopard FC), Samkeliso Ginindza (Moneni Pirates FC), Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopard FC), Mpendulo Tfomo (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Leon Manyisa (Mbabane Swallows FC), Bongwa Matsebula (Young Buffaloes FC), Neliswa Dlamini (Mbabane Swallows FC), Andile Gadlela (Mbabane Swallows FC), Bongiswa Dlamini (Young Bufaloes FC)
STRIKERS
Justice Figuaredo (Richards Bay United FC), Mthokozisi Gwebu (Manzini Sea Birds FC), Sizolwethu Shabalala (Mbabane Swallows FC), Mxolisi Mkhotfo (Green Mamba FC), Neliso Myeni (Nsingizini Hotspurs FC)
REPRESENT US WELL-EFA ACTING PRESIDENT
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has wished Green Mamba FC good luck for Saturday’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League match against UD do Songo. This match will be played at Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto in Maputo, Mozambique and kick-off is at 1500hrs. Speaking on behalf of the EFA President was the Acting President Mr. Steve Horton. “Go and represent us well and come back with a win. We have confidence in you”, said Horton. He also wished the Head Coach team Mr. Earnest Dlamini the very best of luck as he executes his duties in this competition which is his maiden experience to lead a team in Africa. “As this is your first experience to lead a team in Africa, I wish you good luck. It is possible as you also have experienced players in the team,” Horton said.
Green Mamba F.C. will leave the country today for Maputo by road to set-up a camp ahead of this match.
THE SENIOR WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OFF TO MOZAMBIQUE
The Senior Women’s National Team (Sitsebe SaMhlekazi) is off to Mozambique to play an international friendly match against the Mozambique Senior Women National Team. This international friendly match will be played on Sunday, 13th August 2023 in Maputo. The purpose of this international friendly match is to give the technical bench the platform to assess the progress of the national team players since they commenced their full-time camp two weeks ago. The travelling squad is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS
Gcinile Dlamini (Young Buffaloes Ladies F.C.), Nompilo Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.)
DEFENDERS
Simangele Sikhondze (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Badelisile Ngozo (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Futhi Dlamini (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Welile Ndwandwe (Young Baffaloes F.C.), Thulisile Dube (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Samukelisiwe Fakudze (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.), Bethulisile Mathonsi (Manzini Wanderers F.C.)
MIDFIELDERS
Mazwi Dube (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Sikhanyiso Magagula (Young Buffaloes F.C.) Simile Marks (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.), Londiwe Maziya (Moneni Pirates F.C.), Nokuthula Ndlovu (Green Mamba FC), Nonduduzo Dlamini (Young Buffaloes F.C.)
STRIKERS
Tenanile Ngcamphalala (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Celiwe Nkambule (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Thulisile Thring (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Sisanda Ndzinisa (Young Buffaloes F.C.), Tfolakele Gamedze (Mbabane Swallows F.C.), Siphilisiwe Ndlovu (Young buffaloes F.C.), Neliswa Ngcamphalala (Jabezi High School),
U20 MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OFF TO LESOTHO
The U20 Men’s National Team left the country for Lesotho to play an international friendly match against the Lesotho U20 Men’s National Team on Saturday, 12th August 2023. The purpose of this friendly match is to give the technical team the platform to assess the national team’s progress after the implementation of weekly training camps and the two (2) weeks full time camp. The national team Head Coach Mduduzi Nxumalo travelled with the following players:
GOALKEEPERS
Samkelo Shongwe (Ezulwini United F.C.), Wakhile Dlamini (19 Celtics F.C.), Kwethu Masuku (Baffoe F.C.), Nonduduzo Mhlanga (Manzini Wanderers F.C.)
DEFENDERS
Sibusiso Vilakati (Juniors F.C.), Mthobisi Zwane (Mahashulane F.C.), Mlandvo Gumedze (Pigg’s Peak Rangers F.C.), Sive Dlamini (Royal Dynamos F.C.), Khayalethu Sacolo (Royal Leopard F.C.), Ngcebo Sangweni (Combine Stars F.C.), Muzi Ngcamphalala (Royal Leopard F.C.) Jongo Mazibuko (Siteki United F.C.)
MIDFIELDERS
Sihlelelwe Masuku (Tabankulu Callies F.C.), Muzi Mkhonta (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.), Luyanda Nhlengetfwa (Ludzeludze Killers F.C.), Ntsetselelo Mpanza (All Nations F.C.), Yandiswa Kunene (Mvuma Hotspurs F.C.)
STRIKERS
Sinenkhosi Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C.), Banele Nkambule (Kappa Kappa F.C.), Banele Nkambule (Ezulwini United F.C.), Khayalethu Zitha (Mhlume Community F.C.), Vuyolethu Gama (Denver Sundowns F.C.), Menzi Dludlu (Manzini Wanderers F.C.)
EFA WORKING ON IMPROVING THE PRACTICE OF REFEREEING
As an effort of developing football in the country, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) is currently working on improving the practice of refereeing in the country. This was disclosed by the President of the EFA Mr. Peter Simelane during the official closing ceremony of the FIFA MA Refereeing Course at the Thokoza Church Centre on Friday morning. “The football association has already started working on complementary intervention that will improve the practice of refereeing, in particular the creation of an environment that will ensure that stakeholders are impressed with the work of the referees,” Simelane said. During the same event, EFA President also reminded the referees about their importance in the implementation of the football competitions. “The new season is imminent, and our referees are reminded of their centrality, in the envisage successful implementation of all football competitions of the season,” Simelane said.
Requests
As a way of enhancing quality delivery for the referees, Mr.Celestin Ntagungira who is a FIFA expert requested the EFA to enforce the Refereeing Department of the football association among other requests.. “I request the EFA to re-enforce the refereeing department as football is dynamic,” Ntangungira said. He requested that the department should have one technical and one physical fitness instructor to monitor the referees. He also asked the football association to select the best instructors to be Referees Assessors during the implementation of matches. “I also request the EFA to select the best Instructors to be Referees Assessors during football matches”, Ntangungira said. Other requests included, the availability of facilities for the referees to be utilized during practise session, communication system, participation of referees during the implementation of VAR courses in other countries, and the recruitment of more new younger referees.
EFA COMMITTED IN DEVELOPING REFEREES- MR. CELESTIN NTAGUNGIRA (FIFA INSTRUCTOR)
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) is currently executing the FIFA MA Refereeing Course at the Thokoza Church Centre in Mbabane. This course was officially opened by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Mr. Peter Simelane.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony; Mr. Celestine Ntagungira, a FIFA Instructor, acknowledged the EFA for her commitment in developing referees in the country. “The presence of the EFA President is an indication that the football association is committed in developing referees in the country,” Ntagungira said. He is facilitating this course together with Mr. Bento Navesse from Mozambique.
This course is segregated into two (2) forms. The is a theoretical and practical aspects. “This is an integrated training as the participants will learn the theory and then go and apply in the field which will be the practical sessions of the course,” Ntangungira said. As part of the training, the participants will be monitored with an intention of identifying promising referees that can be recommended to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Part of the course content include the evaluation of the laws of the game in different topics. This course will end on Friday.
TEAM MEDICS READY FOR THE NEW FOOTBALL SEASON
They have been equipped and they are ready for the new football season. These are the team medics who participated in the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Medical Workshop that was perfectly executed on the past weekend. The facilitator was Dr. Thulani Ngwenya who is the FIFA, CAF, COSAFA, and SAFA Medical expert.
When officially closing the workshop, the General Secretary of the medical aspect in football.EFA, Mr. Frederick Mngomezulu urged the participants to fully utilized the information and experience that was shared by Dr. Thulani Ngwenya. “Real work starts now and the sky is the limit”, Mngomezulu said. He also urged them to collaborate with the coaches as they make their decisions in as far as player selection is concerned. “Coaches must feel you, as players must also be selected based on their physical fitness level. If a player is not medically fit, he/she is not supposed to be part of the players available for selection on matchday,” Mngomezulu said. He said so as he stressed the significance of the medical aspect in football.
Dr. Thulani Ngwenya emphasized on the importance of equipping each other as a region in order to be counted amongst the best in the football business. “As a region, we have the responsibility of sharpening each other in order to reach the great heights in the game of football,” Ngwenya said. He made an example of Morrocco who reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup and became the first African nation to do so, due to the robust investment towards football development. He also expressed his delight on the participants’ conduct during the workshop. “The participants were not empty. That is why, this was an engaging workshop,” Ngwenya said. He urged them to be confident when doing their job at their respective clubs as whatever they do will have an impact to the senior men’s national teams.
The Chairperson of the Medical Committee, Mr. Welcome Motsa assured the EFA and Dr. Thulani Ngwenya that the participants are now oozing with confidence due to the content that they received from this workshop. “We are now confident due to the information we got from Dr. Thulani Ngwenya”, Motsa said. He asked the clubs to fully utilize these medics as they are now a product that is available in the market. “I urge the clubs to recognise, appreciate and enrol the medical aspect as the product is now ready”, Motsa said.
EFA EMPOWERS TEAM MEDICS
Former South African Presidend Dr. Nelson Mandela once said “Education has the power to change the world”. This words are in line with what the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) is doing in as far as empowering the team medics of the National Teams, MTN Premier League, and MTN National First Division teams is concerned. The implementation of the Medical Workshop is part of the preparations of the upcoming football season (2023/2024).
The EFA is executing a Medical Workshop at the Thokoza Church Centre where the FIFA, CAF, COSAFA and SAFA Medical Doctor, Dr. Thulani Ngwenya is empowering the participants of this workshop about sports medicine related content on football perspective. He is an expert in this field as he is a qualified doctor that has worked in numerous global football events. He has worked in FIFA World Cups, Total Energies AFCON Finals, and COSAFA Tournaments.
When officially opening this workshop, the General Secretary of the EFA, Mr. Frederick Mngomezulu acknowledged Dr. Thulani Ngwenya for honouring this invitation and stressed the importance of the medical aspect in the development of football. “On behalf of the EFA, we would like to thank you Dr. Ngwenya for being here as the medical aspect plays a vital role in influencing the laws of the game. This is an important area as the medical aspect is also vital in as far as football development is concerned”, Mngomezulu said. He also emphasized on the importance of taking good care of the players. “Players become human beings before they become athletes, thus the significance of taking good care of them”, Mngomezulu said. As an effort to raise the bar in as far as the medical aspect of Eswatini football, the EFA is working on the implementation of a more functional medical system. “We need to introduce certain minimum standards even at the lower leagues”, Mngomezulu said.
Dr. Ngwenya expressed his excitement and appreciation on what EFA is doing in as far as the medical aspect of football is concerned. “I am happy to be here and what the EFA is doing is the right thing for the betterment of football as the conditioning of the players is very important”, Ngwenya said.
The Chairperson of the EFA Medical Committee Mr. Welcome Motsa thanked EFA for the realization of this workshop. “We thank the EFA for the implementation of this workshop as it will help in preparing us for the upcoming football season”, Motsa said.
NTT TOYOTA GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH FOOTBALL
Wiston Churchill once said “We make a living by what we get, but we make life by what we give.” NTT Toyata has expressed her appreciation of the business that she gets from the football fraternity by presenting 79 refereeing shirts to the Eswatini Referees Association (ERA). Making the presentation of the shirts to the ERA on behalf of NTT Toyota was the organisation’s Mbabane Dealer Principal Secretary Gideon Tolken. “We want to thank the football fraternity for supporting us in all these years. For us this is a way of giving back to our customers,” said Tolken.
Speaking on behalf of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) was the President of the organisation, Mr. Peter Simelane who expressed the role that this uniform will play as the referees execute their duties. “We come a long way with the sponsor and we hope what we have received from NTT Toyota will enhance the identity of the referees and will also motivate them as they implement their duties”, Simelane said.
The Referees Association’s Chairman Jabulani Motsa assured NTT Toyota that they will take good care of the shirts as they use them. “We will take good care of these shirts as we exceptionally perform our duties so that the company continues to support us,” Motsa said.
This kind gesture by NTT Toyota came at a perfect time when the football family is preparing for the commencement of the new football season.
EFA’S ETHICS COMMITTEE CONFIRMS THE NOMINEES FOR THE SRFA ELECTIONS
The Eswatini Football Association’s (EFA’s) Ethics Committee has confirmed the nominees of the Shiselweni Regional Football Association’s (SRFA's) elections scheduled for the 30th July 2023. The nominees are as follows:
CHAIRMAN
Nkosinathi Kunene, Bhekani Khumalo
VICE CHAIRMAN
John Magubane, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Joseph Tsela, Mphakatsi Dludlu, Rudolph Saulos, Simangele Zwane, Sibusiso Msibi
MEMBER
Sifiso Sikhosana, Ishmael Nkosinathi Dlamini, Simangele Zwane, Sibusiso Nkosinathi Msibi, Saverious Sibandze, Sibusiso Nzima, Mphakatsi Dludlu, Wonder Tsela, Johannes Magubane, Mndeni Ndwandwe, Joseph Sabelo Tsela, Nkosinathi Kunene
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