Eswatini Football Association
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The Senior Men’s National Team (Sihlangu) is in search for a win against Guinea Bissau in the Total AFCON Qualifier Match to be played at the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini. This match will be played on Friday, 26th March 2021 and kick-off is at 1500 hrs (3:00 pm local time).
Answering questions from journalists during Sihlangu’s media day, the Head Coach Dominic Kunene expressed his confidence in as far as the players are concerned as he highlighted that even though the COVID-19 pandemic had its own effects but the lads are responding very well to his tactics. “Yes the pandemic did affect the players but they are responding quite well as we are prepared for this match”.
When asked about his match approach, he stated that they will attack the opposition as a team whilst also protecting their goal post. “We will attack as a team and also defend as a unit as we have to protect our goal post as well”, said Kunene.
He last played for Sihlangu during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Djibouti at the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini whichwas a sad day for Eswatini as the national team was eliminated from the competition. Justice Figureido is very much exited to represent his country on Friday after recovering from a lengthy injury he got whilst doing duty for his club TS Galaxy FC which is competing in the DST Premiership in South Africa.
“I am very much exited to be back in action and to represent my country. It has been a frustrating period for me as I was out of action for a long time”, said Figareido. The Sihlangu winger is keen to bring joy to the Eswatini football fans by assisting the national team to get a victory on Friday.
The information that Eswatini will play against Guinea Bissau at the Mavuso Sports Centre was good music to the Senior Men’s National Team (Sihlangu) Head Coach, Domenic Kunene. “Psychologically it was stressing the players in not knowing where the match will be played, but after it was confirmed that the match will be played on home turf; their psychological strength is now boosted as this is a venue they are familiar with” Kunene stated. This comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned the Mavuso Sports Centre from hosting official international matches of this magnitude as this venue does not meet the set standards.
After the CAF Emergency Committee meeting held on Monday, 8th March 2021; the African football governing body decided to lift the ban on hosting the Total AFCON Qualifiers match between these two national teams. This is an exclusive relaxation, restricted to only this match.
The EFA also welcomed this CAF decision as it came as a substantial relief on technical, fiscal and logistical requirements and convenience of hosting matches of an international breath.
The Senior Men’s National Team’s (Sihlangu’s) Head Coach, Mr. Domenic Kunene has selected a list of twenty-four (24) players in preparations of the Total AFCON Qualifier matches between Guinea Bissau and Senegal respectively. Sihlangu will play against Guinea Bissau in a venue that is yet to be announced on Friday, 26th March 2021 and four days later play against Senegal in Dakar. The players are as follows:
GOALKEEPERS
Sandanezwe Mathabela (Mbabane Swallows FC), Ncamiso Dlamini (Royal Leopard FC), Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (Mbabane Highlanders FC).
DEFENDERS
Lindokuhle Mkhonta (Young Buffaloes FC), Mlamuli Msibi (Royal Leopards FC), Sikhumbuzo Magagula (Royal Leopards FC), Mthunzi Motsa (Manzini Wanderers FC), Sanele Tshawuka (Green Mamba FC), Sihlangu Mkhwanazi (Young Buffaloes FC), Siboniso Mamba (Young Buffaloes FC).
MIDFIELDERS
Mzwandile Mabelesa (Royal Leopards FC), Siboniso Ngwenya (Young Buffaloes FC), Khetho Mkhontfo (Green Mamba FC), Sabelo Gamedze (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Sifiso Matse (Royal Leopards FC),Sandile Gamedze (Young Buffaloes FC), Njabulo Tfwala (Green Mamba), Wandile Shabangu (Young Buffaloes FC)
STRIKERS
Sabelo Ndzinisa (Mbabane Highlanders FC), Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini (Young Buffaloes), Sidumo Dlamini (Royal Leopards FC), Fanelo Mamba (Young Buffaloes FC), Nhlanhla Ngwenya (Mbabane Swallows FC), Muzi Tsabedze (Manzini Sea Birds FC)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has prohibited the hosting of the Total AFCON Qualifier Match between Eswatini and Guinea Bissau at the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini. This match is scheduled for Friday, 26th March 2021. According to CAF’s analysis, this venue no longer conform to the CAF Stadium Requirements to host international matches. CAF highlighted that the pitch condition is of a poor standard, the dressing rooms are not of high-quality standards and that the general renovation work needs to be fully modernized to host international matches.
According to the EFA statement, “The venue prohibition has been received with great distress and astonishment, considering that the match in question is only a few weeks away, with some of the elements prescribed as deficient, needing a lengthier time to address, rendering it impractical to address such deficient fundamentals within the restricted timeframe”. Currently the EFA is consequently trying to collaborate within this restricted time, with various stakeholders for the execution of hosting this match as directed by CAF.
In conformity with the declaration on the conclusion of the 2019/2020 season, through Circular 147 of the 10th September 2020; where it was decided that the season was concluded as at the point at which it was suspended, the Board of Governors of Eswatini Bank Cup, convoked and extensively analysed, this force majeure circumstances of the COVID-19 health threat and its repercussions on the Eswatini Bank Cup 2020, in particular, its conclusion and the prizes.
“The Eswatini Bank Cup 2020 “Idlala kamnandzi”edition, is decided to have concluded as at the quarter finals stage, across the principal competition and its supplementary competitions of the edition (i.e. Senior Men, Senior Women and U20 Boys competitions). Prizes are to be accorded to the assorted participants, in terms of their performance up to the quarter finals stage, including all individual or group prizes, adjudicated as decided by the act of the decision to conclude the competitions as at the quarter finals stage”, read a statement from the EFA.
The participant will get their prizes as per their performance by Friday, 26th February 2021 and the football association thanked the Eswatini Bank, as sponsors of the Edition and Cup, for their alliance in trying to resolve the conclusion and on the same wavelength appreciates the continued collaboration, understanding and resolution exhibited by the EFA Members in collaboration with the sponsors and the general football community, amid the persistent challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They lost the first leg match by 2-1 against Etoile du Sahel but Young Buffaloes FC is confident that they can make it to the group stages of the Total CAF Confederations Cup. “Even though we are adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we still believe in the capabilities of the players who are part of the travelling delegation to Tunisia”, said Sandile Gwebu who is the club’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Some of Young Buffaloes FC’s players are not part of the trip to Tunisia as they tested positive for COVID-19.
When sending the army side off to Tunisia on behalf of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), the Vice President of the football association, Dr. Comfort Shongwe acknowledged the players’ effort during the first leg encounter and urged the nation to support the team through prayers as they leave the country for the second leg. “You played very well during the first leg of which as EFA we believe that you can make it in the second leg and proceed to the group stages of this competition. We urge Swati nation to support you through prayers and have a safe trip and please remember to adhear to the COVID-19 protocols”. The second leg match will be played at the Stade Taleb Mhiri Sfax on Sunday 21st February 2021 and kick-off is at 1600hrs Tunisia time.
A total of twelve (12) Eswatini Referees are part of the 2021 FIFA accredited list. These referees consist of 6 Referees and a similar number of Assistant Referees. There are four (4) female and eight (8) male referees. These referees will be doing duty during international competitions. The full list is as follows:
Referees
- Dlamini Njabuliso Thembinkosi (Male).
- Dlamini Thokozani (Male).
- Sibandze Thulani (Male).
- Siphepho Celumusa (Male).
- Soko Tencwala (Female).
- Viana Letticia (Female).
Assistant Referees
- Magagula Thembinkosi Ndumiso (Male).
- Mbingo Petro (Male).
- Mkhaliphi Buyisile Patricia (Female).
- Nxumalo Sifiso (Male).
- Nxumalo Siphiwayinkhosi Cosma (Female).
- Simelane Zamani Thula (Male).
The first Window Registration Period for football clubs in the membership of the Regional Football Associations (Regional Football Leagues) and the Women Football Association (National Women Football League), is extended from the original 15th January 2021, to the close of business on Friday, 29th January 2021. This exclusive extension has contemplated the COVID-19 Regulations as implemented by the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Due to the fact that the electronic registration system is yet to be introduces at lower levels of organized football, Regional Football Associations have been required to regulate the registration business in such a way that congestions are avoided. The football clubs are urged to do the registration as early as possible inorder to avoid being locked out for the rest of the season, as there will be no other extraordinary consideration beyond this extended period.
In conclusion, EFA urge her members and the public to adhear to the COVID-19 Regulations as the as the country and the globe continues to fight against this pandemic.
Eswatini Football Association (EFA) and the football family has mourn the demise of The Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini, His Excellency Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini. “EFA and the football family in Eswatini is in loss of words to express itself on learning of the greatest shock of the infelicitous passing-on of The Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini; His Excellency Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, read the EFA statement. The football association also extended its deepest and heartfelt condolences to Their Majesties, the Family, Cabinet and Government, Relatives, Friends, affected establishments and the populace in general for this untimely demise.
“His demise has roped the nation of his stewardship and the visionary works which Their M,ajesties has bestowed upon him to upscale the economy, and the overall livelihood of the country”, read part of the statement. The EFA also acknowledged the support from His Excellency over the years towards the development of football in the country.
“As a person who had football at heart, we were very much honoured to have shared the same football spirit with His Excellency for many years; especially during the time when he was the Chief Executive Officer of Eswatini MTN and later as the Head of His Majesty’s Government where he played a decisive role in the return of football business after the impulsive hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 health threat”, the statement read.
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