Eswatini Football Association
P. O Box 641 , Mbabane, Eswatini, Sigwaca House H100
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The FIFA Instructor Alejandro Heredia who is currently facilitating the FIFA MA Goalkeeping Course at the Technical Centre in Lobamba was impressed about the overall performance of Sihlangu SeMnikati against the top rank national team in Africa, Tunisia. This was after the local side lost by 2-0 in a TOTAL Africa Cup of Nations match that was played on Sunday, 9th September 2018 at the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini.
“Even though the local side didn’t start the match very well, the was some great improvement as the game progressed more especially in the second half”; Heredia said. The former Bafana Bafana Goalkeeper Coach noted that Sihlangu SeMnikati lost the match due to the two first half mistakes that were committed early in the match. “The Eswatini side committed two mistakes in the first half and playing against professional sides of Tunisia’s calibre, you will definitely be punished; and if it wasn’t for those errors, the match would have ended in a no goal stalemate”; the FIFA Instructor said. He also urged the local technical bench to help the current team to improve from where it left at the end of the game as it looks promising.
The Senior Women’s National Team, Sitsebe SaMhlekazi is in Port Elizabeth in the Republic of South Africa for the 2018 COSAFA Women Championships that kicks off on Wednesday, 12th September 2018 and ends on Saturday, 22nd September 2018. The delegation of the national team includes 20 players and 10 officials. The Head of Delegation is the Eswatini Football Association’s (EFA’s) Executive Committee Member and Chairman of the Women Football Association, Sonnyboy Mabuza.
Sitsebe SaMhlekazi will be in action for their opening match of the competition against Uganda who is one of the guest nations in the championship on Wednesday, 12th September with the second match on Friday, 14th September and the final group match on Monday, 17th September 2018. The local side is in group C and all these matches will kick-off at 1300hrs. The are 12 countries participating in this competition and they are grouped into 3 groups with the group winners and the best runner-up progressing to the semi-finals.
Sitsebe SaMhlekazi comprises of the following players:
Nandipha Mkhwanazi, Nokwanda Mamba,Nokuthula Dlamini, Lungile Dlamini, Eunice Mbuli, Mazwi Dube, Sibonelo Gwebu, Nonhle Simelane, Phumzile Dlamini, Celiwe Nkambule, Cebile Shongwe, Sihle Dlamini, Nomvula Sanga, Nomcebo Dlamini, Welile Nxumalo, Siphesihle Simelane, Nombuso Mamba, Noxolo Malinga, Thulisile Dvuba,Tenanile Ngcamphalala.
Futsal is a 5-aside game that is similar to football but it is played in-doors and out-doors. This sport immensely contributes to the development of a player thus Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has implemented the futsal development programme in schools (primary and high schools). This year’s programme commenced from the zonal phase with the national stages being the climax of this development programme.
Under the primary schools categories; there were U13 boys and U15 girls’ competitions. In both categories; Lobamba National Primary School was crowned champions. As for the high schools category; there were U17 boys and U19 girls’ competitions respectively. In the boys’ competition, Lobamba National High school won the championship whilst in the girls’ competition the championship was won by St. Mary’s High School.
According to the Technical Director of EFA Bhekisisa Mkhonta; these championships were a huge success. He also highlighted that the major aim for this development programme is to have futsal being played country-wide and also produce good players. “Our aim is to have this sport being played country-wide and also produce quality players through this football development programme.” Mkhonta said.
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) and the football family at large has extends a special tribute and momentous gratitude to His Majesty King Mswati III together with the Royal Household for gracing the 17th edition of the Eswatini Post and telecommunications (EPTC) Charity Cup Competition. “As a football association and family, we are humbled by His Majesty’s attendance of which His presence gave this event the glamour and Royal extravagance”, read the by the football association. The EFA also sincerely extended the voice of thanks and gratitude to His Majesty The King Mswati III’s Government for the upliftment of the Somhlolo National Stadium through the witnessed hand-over and the maiden usage of the new and improved lightening system in the field of play. “This will greatly enhance the efforts of developing football in the country; of which infrastructure development is one of the key pillars and a basic foundation for competitions’’; the football association said.
Further appreciation went to the Head of Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, his Cabinet and Civil Service, EPTC, Football Family, Invited Guests, Fans and the Media for being part of this historic event as all these stakeholders were the principal reason for the whole success of this event.
In conclusion; the EFA congratulated the champions; Mbabane Swallows FC; both the senior and U20 teams respectively for successfully defending their titles in both the senor and U20 categories. Further congratulations went to the participating teams as they also played very well and thus they were capable enough to be champions on the day. “None of such could have been actualized without the sponsors, EPTC and the EPTC Charity Cup Organizing Committee who presented a well- coordinated programme from its launch to the very end of this edition. “The football family remains greatly indebted to EPTC and through this competition a lot of lives are being touched as charity is the ultimate winner”; read part of the statement.
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Adam Mthethwa officially opened the FIFA MA Refereeing Course that is currently taking place at the Technical Centre in Lobamba. This course prepares the referees for the upcoming football season. In his remarks, the President expressed the football association’s excitement in witnessing people who show some commitment in becoming very good referees. “As the Eswatini Football Association, we are very happy to see people who have the intention of being very good referees, thus EFA is proud of you referees as to be one; you have to be brave and also we have to consider the fact that it is very difficult to recruit referees”; Mthethwa said. He also promised the referees that the football association will always support them.
The FIFA Referees Instructor and CAF’s Referees Committee Member Felix Tangawarima has urged local Referees Instructors to support the local referees as there is a lot that they can learn from them. He said this during the opening ceremony of the on-going FIFA Refereeing Course that is currently taking place at the Technical Centre in Lobamba. “I urge the local instructors to support the local referees as there is a lot that they can learn from them thus enhancing their development”; Tangawarima said.
According to the FIFA Instructor, this week’s course will be 80% focused on practical aspect with the rest on the theory as referees can easily master the theory part but have some difficulties when it comes to the practical aspect of their duties. “It will be a very high intensive week for the referees during this course”; he emphasized. The major focus will be on the movement of the referees on the field of play.
The Eswatini Post and Telecommunication Managing Director (MD) Petros Dlamini has acknowledged the football family for the good leadership in running the beautiful game in the country. He also recognized the football sponsors and other stakeholders for their efforts in the development of the game of billions on the land. “Let me acknowledge the football family for the good leadership in running the game of football in the country; the sponsor and other stakeholders for their efforts in the development of the game on the land”; Dlamini said. He stated this during the draw of the EPTC Charity Cup draw which was held in the sponsor’s head headquarters in Mbabane.
With our minds still struggling to come into terms with the recently concluded FIFA world cup; the Eswatini Post and Telecoms (EPTC) Charity Cup has arrived to revive the spirit of tis global football event; thus the EPTC Managing Director (MD) Petros Dlamini has described this year’s cup of hope competition as “our mini-world cup”. “In the recently completed FIFA world cup; a lot of goals were scored and we have already witnessed that in this year’s yam’ nawe competition and we hope to see more goals this coming weekend”; Dlamini said. As a way of urging the participating teams to put more effort in their game and entertain the fans; he reminded them about the appetizing first prize which is E1 Million. “Let me remind the participating teams about the first prize of this tournament which is E1 Million in one day”; Dlamini emphasized.
Lastly, he urged the public to support this event and make it bigger than before as by so doing; there will be more beneficiaries.
The Eswatini Football Association’s (EFA’s) President Mr adam Mthethwa has wished Mbbabane Swallows FC good luck for their second leg match agains Etoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia. The Tunisian side won the first leg encounter of the Group D TOTAL CAF Champions League match against the local side. This match was played last Tuesday at the Mavuso Sports Centre. “I have confidence in Mbabane Swallows FC that they can redeem themselves against the Tunisian team and come back home with a good result, thus good luck to them”; Mthethwa said. These two sides are scheduled to meet in Tunisia on Friday, 27th July 2017 and the local team is expected back home on Sunday, 29th July 2018.
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Adam Mthethwa officially closed the FIFA MA Youth Coaching Course at the Technical Centre in Lobamba. This event witnessed 25 participants also being awarded with certificates by the EFA President.
When addressing the participants, the President highlighted the importance of the youth coaches in the development of football. “Youth coaches are very important in the development of football as they develop future players”; Mthethwa said. As EFA’s core business is about the development of football in the country, President stated that it is for that reason that whatever the football association does is for the benefit of the clubs and players. He concluded by acknowledging the participants for their commitment in enhancing the development of football.
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