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Eswatini national football team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Eswatini women's national football team.
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Eswatini
Nickname(s) Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield)
Association Eswatini Football Association (EFA)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach Dominic Kunene
Captain Siyabonga Mdluli
Most caps Tony Tsabedze (71)
Top scorer Sabelo Ndzinisa (16)
Home stadium Somhlolo National Stadium
FIFA code SWZ
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 140 Increase 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 88 (April–May 2017)
Lowest 190 (September–October 2012)
Elo ranking
Current NR (3 March 2019)
Highest 117 (25 June 2016)
Lowest 181 (2013)
First international
United Kingdom Swaziland 2–0 Malawi 
(Swaziland; 1 May 1968)
Biggest win
 Djibouti 0–6 Swaziland 
(Djibouti City, Djibouti; 9 October 2015)
Biggest defeat
 Egypt 10–0 Swaziland 
(Alexandria, Egypt; 22 March 2013)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances 19 (first in 1997)
Best result Third place
(2016, 2021)
Semi-finals
(1999, 2002, 2003)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
Bronze 2016 Namibia Team
Bronze 2021 South Africa

The Eswatini national football team, nicknamed Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield), represents Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, in international football and is controlled by the Eswatini Football Association. It has never qualified for the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations finals. Swaziland's best performance in an international tournament is a semi-final finish in the COSAFA Cup.

On 8 June 2008, they achieved their first win in a World Cup qualifier since 1992, beating 2006 finalists Togo 2–1 on home soil. The team's best recent performance came in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification where Eswatini finished second in Group L above Guinea and Malawi.

History

Beginnings

The team played its first international match against Malawi, winning 2–0. For the first decade, the national team only played Malawi and Zambia, failing to register a single win from 1969 until 1984, when they beat Lesotho 3–1 in a friendly at home. Following the Lesotho win, Eswatini entered the 1986 African Cup of Nations qualifiers for the first time, losing 1–8 on aggregate to Zimbabwe. The team then entered the 1987 All-Africa Games qualifiers however they lost 2–9 on aggregate against Malawi.

The first time that Eswatini progressed past the first round of a qualifying competition was for the 1990 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, beating Tanzania 3–1 on penalties after drawing the tie 2–2. In the second round they faced Malawi who knocked them out again, 1–3 after two legs. Eswatini next entered the 1990 SADCC Tournament, advancing past the group stage on goal difference ahead of Malawi, before losing to Zimbabwe on penalties (5–3) in the semi-finals following a 4–4 draw after extra-time. In the 1992 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Eswatini beat Zambia (2–1) during the preliminary group stage but finished in third and failed to progress.

Eswatini entered the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time, but ended up in second place behind Cameroon thereby not advancing to the final round. For the 1998 World Cup first qualification round, Eswatini lost twice to Gabon (0–1 and 0–2) and were eliminated. They failed to make it past the first qualifying round for the inaugural 1997 COSAFA Cup, where they lost 0–4 to Mozambique, and in the 1998 COSAFA Cup where they lost to an own-goal in extra-time against Angola (0–1). Eswatini returned to the 2000 African Cup of Nations qualification matches after missing the previous three tournaments but they fell 2–3 against Madagascar and were eliminated. They managed to qualify for the 1999 COSAFA Cup after beating Mozambique 3–1 in the qualifiers, then beat Zimbabwe in the quarter-finals 4–3 on penalties after drawing 1–1 in regular time, with Bongani Mdluli having scored the equaliser for Eswatini in the 89th minute. In the semi-finals they lost to Namibia on penalties, 2–4.

21st century

Eswatini were eliminated by Angola in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, losing 1–8 on aggregate. They then lost to Kenya in the 2002 African Cup of Nations qualification round 3–5. Their next success in a competition came in the 2002 COSAFA Cup where they qualified ahead of Namibia (2–1) and beat Zimbabwe (2–0) to advance to the semis. There they lost to South Africa (1–4) who would go on to win the tournament. In the 2004 AFCON qualifiers, Eswatini finished third in their group, two points behind Libya and three behind DR Congo therefore missing out on qualification.

In the following tournaments, Eswatini failed to progress past the first qualifying round. They finished bottom of their qualifying groups until 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification where they finished in second on goal-difference ahead of Guinea but were three points off of qualifying, behind Zimbabwe. In the 2018 World Cup qualifying, Eswatini thrashed Djibouti 8–1 over two legs, but were beaten 0–2 by Nigeria to end their hopes of qualification.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2023

2024

Coaches

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • Romania Ted Dumitru (1983–85)
  • Eswatini Dumisa Mahlalela (1992–93)
  • Eswatini Scara Thindwa (1996)
  • Zambia Jan Simulambo (1997)
  • Zambia Francis Banda (1998–2000)
  • Eswatini Dumisa Mahlalela (2001–02)
  • Eswatini Mandla Dlamini (2003)
  • Zambia Francis Banda (2003)
  • Germany Werner Bicklehaput (2003)
  • Eswatini Dumisa Mahlalela (2004)
  • Zambia Francis Banda (2005)
  • Belgium Jan Van Winckel (2006)
  • Egypt Ayman El Yamani (2006–07)
  • Eswatini Martin Chabangu (2007)
  • Switzerland Raoul Savoy (2007–08)
  • South Africa Ephraim Mashaba (2008–10)
  • Eswatini Musa Zwane (2010–11)
  • Eswatini Obed Mlotsa (2011)
  • Eswatini Caleb Ngwenya (2011–12)
  • Belgium Valere Billen (2012–13)
  • Eswatini Harris Bulunga (2013–14)
  • Eswatini Harris Bulunga (2014–16)
  • Eswatini Anthony Mdluli (2017)
  • Netherlands Hendrik Pieter de Jongh (2017–18)
  • Eswatini Anthony Mdluli (2018)
  • Serbia Kosta Papic (2018–2019)
  • Eswatini Dominic Kunene (2020–2022)
  • Eswatini Dominic Kunene (2023–)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Libya and Cape Verde on 17 and 21 November 2023.

Caps and goals correct as of: 21 November 2023, after the match against Cape Verde

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ncamiso Dlamini (1989-10-19) 19 October 1989 (age 35) 13 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards
1GK Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (1993-09-23) 23 September 1993 (age 31) 5 0 Eswatini Mbabane Highlanders
1GK Xolani Gama (1999-10-20) 20 October 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Eswatini Green Mamba
2DF Kwakhe Thwala (2002-04-04) 4 April 2002 (age 22) 21 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows
3MF Mxolisi Mkhontfo (1993-08-08) 8 August 1993 (age 31) 15 1 Eswatini Green Mamba
2DF Sibongakhonkhe Silenge (2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 (age 24) 8 0 Eswatini Green Mamba
2DF Samkelo Ginindza (1992-09-18) 18 September 1992 (age 32) 4 0 Eswatini Moneni Pirates
2DF Vusi Vilakati (2001-05-07) 7 May 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Eswatini Mbabane Highlanders
2DF Simanga Masangane (1997-05-09) 9 May 1997 (age 27) 1 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards
2DF Newman Philiso (2003-11-11) 11 November 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows
3MF Sifiso Matse (1993-05-14) 14 May 1993 (age 31) 45 4 Eswatini Royal Leopards
3MF Mzwandile Mabelesa (1993-04-21) 21 April 1993 (age 31) 35 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards
3MF Neliswa Dlamini (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 21) 15 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows
3MF Njabulo Magagula (1995-08-07) 7 August 1995 (age 29) 4 0 Eswatini Green Mamba
3MF Sizolwethu Shabalala (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 (age 28) 4 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows
3MF Ayanda Gadlela (1998-07-01) 1 July 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows
3MF Mpendulo Lungelo Tfomo (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 (age 24) 1 0 Eswatini Mbabane Highlanders
4FW Sabelo Ndzinisa (1991-07-31) 31 July 1991 (age 33) 63 15 Eswatini Green Mamba
4FW Philane Thabo Mkhontfo (1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 29) 18 1 Eswatini Mbabane Highlanders
4FW Justice Figuareido (1998-07-28) 28 July 1998 (age 26) 13 0 South Africa Richards Bay
4FW Bongwa Owa Matsebula (1997-11-27) 27 November 1997 (age 26) 13 2 Eswatini Young Buffaloes
4FW Siyabonga Mthokozisi Gwebu (1994-06-30) 30 June 1994 (age 30) 2 0 Eswatini Manzini Sea Birds
4FW Neliso Myeni (1992-06-19) 19 June 1992 (age 32) 2 0 Eswatini Nsingizini Hotspurs

Recent call-ups

The following players were called up for Eswatini in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Mathabela Sandanezwe (1989-09-09) 9 September 1989 (age 35) 38 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows 2023 COSAFA Cup
GK Sibusiso Dlamini (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 (age 24) 1 0 Eswatini Nsingizini Hotspurs v.  Togo, 18 June 2023
GK Bhekisisa Dlamini (2000-08-14) 14 August 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Eswatini Moneni Pirates v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
GK Mlamuli Makhanya (1996-09-23) 23 September 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
GK Mlungisi Nxumalo (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Eswatini Young Buffaloes v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
DF Mlamuli Msibi (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 (age 27) 14 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards v.  Burkina Faso, 8 September 2023
DF Lindo Mkhonta (1991-04-10) 10 April 1991 (age 33) 42 1 Zambia ZESCO United 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Siboniso Mamba (1991-02-24) 24 February 1991 (age 33) 37 2 Eswatini Young Buffaloes 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Sihlangu Mkhwanazi (1989-09-28) 28 September 1989 (age 35) 28 0 Eswatini Young Buffaloes 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Mxolisi Manana (1994-01-31) 31 January 1994 (age 30) 6 0 Eswatini Green Mamba 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Lucky Vicky Gamedze (1995-10-08) 8 October 1995 (age 29) 1 0 Eswatini Madlenya 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Sikhumbuzo Magagula (1995-05-30) 30 May 1995 (age 29) 12 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards v.  Cape Verde, 28 March 2023
DF Gift Gamedze (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Eswatini Madlenya v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
DF Mkhuleko Magagula (1995-05-10) 10 May 1995 (age 29) 0 0 Eswatini Manzini Sea Birds v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
MF Leon Manyisa (1999-06-03) 3 June 1999 (age 25) 7 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows v.  Burkina Faso, 8 September 2023
MF Siboniso Ngwenya (1994-05-03) 3 May 1994 (age 30) 20 2 Eswatini Young Buffaloes 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Sandile Gamedze (1994-12-03) 3 December 1994 (age 29) 40 8 Eswatini Young Buffaloes v.  Togo, 18 June 2023
MF Bongiswa Dlamini (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25) 0 0 Eswatini Young Buffaloes v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
MF Mpendulo Dlamini (1993-06-26) 26 June 1993 (age 31) 1 0 Eswatini Young Buffaloes v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
FW Fanelo Mamba (2001-10-29) 29 October 2001 (age 23) 36 6 Eswatini Young Buffaloes 2023 COSAFA Cup
FW Thubelihle Mavuso (2001-10-06) 6 October 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Eswatini Nsingizini Hotspurs v.  Cape Verde, 28 March 2023
FW Njabulo Maziya (1995-05-10) 10 May 1995 (age 29) 1 0 Eswatini Madlenya v.  Cape Verde, 28 March 2023

Player records

Players in bold are still active with Eswatini.
Most appearances
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Tony Tsabedze 71 8 2003–2018
2 Sabelo Ndzinisa 65 16 2012–present
3 Mxolisi Mthethwa 52 3 1998–2010
4 Wonder Nhleko 48 5 2001–2018
5 Sifiso Matse 45 4 2017–present
6 Machawe Dlamini 44 1 2011–2019
7 Dennis Masina 42 2 1999–2011
Lindo Mkhonta 42 1 2018–present
9 Felix Badenhorst 41 15 2008–2021
10 Sandile Gamedze 40 8 2018–present
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Sabelo Ndzinisa 16 65 0.25 2012–present
2 Felix Badenhorst 15 43 0.35 2008–2021
3 Mfanzile Dlamini 9 35 0.26 1998–2009
Siza Dlamini 9 39 0.23 1997–2010
5 Sandile Gamedze 8 40 0.2 2018–present
Tony Tsabedze 8 71 0.11 2003–2018
7 Fanelo Mamba 6 36 0.17 2018–present
8 Wonder Nhleko 5 48 0.1 2001–2018
9 Sidumo Shongwe 4 8 0.5 2011–2014
Sandile Hlatjwako 4 15 0.27 2014–2017
Sifiso Matse 4 45 0.09 2017–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1966 Part of United Kingdom United Kingdom Part of United Kingdom United Kingdom
as  Swaziland
1970 to 1978 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1982 to 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
United States 1994 Did not qualify 3 1 1 1 1 5
France 1998 2 0 0 2 0 3
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 0 2 1 8
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 1 4
South Africa 2010 4 1 1 2 2 8
Brazil 2014 2 0 0 2 2 8
Russia 2018 4 2 1 1 8 3
as  Swaziland
Qatar 2022 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 2 0 0 2 0 3
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total – 0/11 – – – – – – 22 4 5 13 16 44

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to Ethiopia 1968 Part of United Kingdom Part of United Kingdom
Sudan 1970 to Ethiopia 1976 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Nigeria 1980
Libya 1982
Ivory Coast 1984 Withdrew Withdrew
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 8
Morocco 1988 Did not enter Did not enter
Algeria 1990 Did not qualify 4 0 3 1 3 5
Senegal 1992 5 1 2 2 4 9
Tunisia 1994 Did not enter Did not enter
South Africa 1996 Withdrew Withdrew
Burkina Faso 1998 Did not enter Did not enter
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 2 3
Mali 2002 2 1 0 1 3 5
Tunisia 2004 6 2 2 2 8 12
Egypt 2006 2 0 1 1 1 4
Ghana 2008 6 0 3 3 0 7
Angola 2010 4 1 1 2 2 8
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012 6 0 0 6 2 14
South Africa 2013 Withdrew Withdrew
Equatorial Guinea 2015 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
Gabon 2017 6 2 2 2 6 9
Egypt 2019 6 0 1 5 2 14
Cameroon 2021 4 0 1 3 1 9
Ivory Coast 2023 5 0 2 3 3 8
Morocco 2025 To be determined To be determined
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027
Total – 0/25 – – – – – – 57 7 18 32 36 109

COSAFA Cup

Main article: COSAFA Cup
Year COSAFA Cup
Result M W D L GF GA
1997 First round 1 0 0 1 0 1
1998 Quarter-finals 1 0 0 1 0 1
1999 Semi-finals 3 1 2 0 5 3
2000 Quarter-finals 1 0 0 1 0 2
2001 Quarter-finals 2 0 1 1 1 2
2002 Semi-finals 3 2 0 1 5 5
2003 Semi-finals 2 1 0 1 2 2
2004 Quarter-finals 1 0 0 1 0 5
2005 First round 1 0 0 1 0 3
2006 First round 2 1 0 1 2 1
2007 First round 2 1 1 0 1 0
South Africa 2008 First round 3 1 2 0 3 2
Zimbabwe 2009 First round 3 2 0 1 5 2
Zambia 2013 First round 3 0 1 2 0 4
South Africa 2015 First round 3 2 1 0 4 1
Namibia 2016 Third place 6 3 2 1 9 7
South Africa 2017 Quarter-finals 2 0 0 2 1 3
South Africa 2018 Quarter-finals 2 0 0 2 0 3
South Africa 2019 First round 2 0 2 0 4 4
South Africa 2020 Cancelled
South Africa 2021 Third place 6 2 3 1 8 6
South Africa 2022 Quarter-finals 4 2 2 0 7 2
Total 21/21 53 18 17 18 57 59

See also

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