Eswatini national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield) | ||||||||||
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Association | Eswatini Football Association (EFA) | ||||||||||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||||||||||
Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | ||||||||||
Head coach | Zdravko Logarusic | ||||||||||
Captain | Mthunzi Mkhontfo | ||||||||||
Most caps | Sabelo Ndzinisa (75) | ||||||||||
Top scorer | Sabelo Ndzinisa (17) | ||||||||||
Home stadium | Somhlolo National Stadium | ||||||||||
FIFA code | SWZ | ||||||||||
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FIFA ranking | |||||||||||
Current | 140 ![]() |
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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 | |||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Swaziland; 1 May 1968) |
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Biggest win | |||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Djibouti City, Djibouti; 9 October 2015) |
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Biggest defeat | |||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Alexandria, Egypt; 22 March 2013) |
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COSAFA Cup | |||||||||||
Appearances | 19 (first in 1997) | ||||||||||
Best result | Third place (2016, 2021) Semi-finals (1999, 2002, 2003) |
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Medal record
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The Eswatini national football team, also known as Sihlangu Semnikati (which means King's Shield), plays for Eswatini in international football games. This team is managed by the Eswatini Football Association. Eswatini was previously called Swaziland.
The team has never made it to the main tournaments like the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations finals. Their best result in an international competition was reaching the semi-finals of the COSAFA Cup. On June 8, 2008, they won a World Cup qualifier for the first time since 1992, beating Togo 2–1 at home. In the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Eswatini did very well, finishing second in their group.
Contents
Team History
Early Years of Football
The Eswatini team played its first international match against Malawi and won 2–0. For about ten years, they mostly played against Malawi and Zambia. They didn't win any games from 1969 until 1984. Then, they finally beat Lesotho 3–1 in a friendly match at home.
After this win, Eswatini joined the 1986 African Cup of Nations qualifiers for the first time. They lost to Zimbabwe with a total score of 1–8 over two games. They also tried to qualify for the 1987 All-Africa Games, but lost to Malawi 2–9.
Making Progress in Qualifiers
Eswatini first got past the first round of a qualifying competition for the 1990 African Cup of Nations. They beat Tanzania 3–1 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 2–2. In the next round, they faced Malawi again and were knocked out.
They also played in the 1990 SADCC Tournament. They got past the group stage but lost to Zimbabwe in the semi-finals on penalties. In the 1992 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Eswatini beat Zambia 2–1 but didn't move forward.
Eswatini entered the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time. They finished second in their group, behind Cameroon, and didn't make it to the final round. For the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, they lost to Gabon and were out.
They also struggled in the early COSAFA Cup tournaments. In the 1997 COSAFA Cup, they lost 0–4 to Mozambique. In the 1998 COSAFA Cup, they lost 0–1 to Angola in extra time. Eswatini returned to the 2000 African Cup of Nations qualification but lost to Madagascar 2–3.
However, they did well in the 1999 COSAFA Cup. They beat Mozambique 3–1 to qualify. Then, they beat Zimbabwe in the quarter-finals 4–3 on penalties. Bongani Mdluli scored a late goal to tie the game for Eswatini. In the semi-finals, they lost to Namibia on penalties.
21st Century Challenges
In the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, Eswatini lost to Angola with a total score of 1–8. They also lost to Kenya in the 2002 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Their next success was in the 2002 COSAFA Cup. They qualified by beating Namibia 2–1 and then beat Zimbabwe 2–0 to reach the semi-finals. There, they lost to South Africa 1–4. In the 2004 AFCON qualifiers, Eswatini finished third in their group and missed out on qualifying.
In later tournaments, Eswatini often didn't get past the first qualifying round. They usually finished last in their groups. However, in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, they finished second in their group, ahead of Guinea. They were just three points away from qualifying. In the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Eswatini beat Djibouti 8–1 over two games. But their hopes ended when they lost 0–2 to Nigeria.
Recent Matches
Here are the results of Eswatini's matches from the last year, and any upcoming games.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2024 Matches
20 March 2025 AFCON qualification | Somalia ![]() |
0–3 | ![]() |
El Jadida, Morocco |
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium Referee: Andre Kolissala Mbangui (Central African Republic) |
26 March 2025 AFCON qualification | Swaziland ![]() |
2–2 (5–2 agg.) |
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Mbombela, South Africa |
Stadium: Mbombela Stadium Referee: Joseph Odey Ogabor (Nigeria) |
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Note: Eswatini won 5–2 on aggregate. |
7 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Angola ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Luanda, Angola |
20:00 UTC+1 | Stadium: Estádio 11 de Novembro Attendance: 30,000 Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia) |
11 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Mauritius ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Saint Pierre, Mauritius |
17:00 UTC+4 | Stadium: Côte d'Or National Sports Complex Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Mohamed Athoumani (Comoros) |
26 June 2024 COSAFA Cup | Swaziland ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Gqeberha, South Africa |
15:00 | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium |
29 June 2024 COSAFA Cup | Mozambique ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Gqeberha, South Africa |
12:00 | Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium |
2 July 2024 COSAFA Cup | South Africa ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Gqeberha, South Africa |
15:00 | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium |
5 September 2025 AFCON qualifier | Guinea-Bissau ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Bissau, Guinea-Bissau |
16:00 UTC±0 | Burá ![]() |
Stadium: Estádio 24 de Setembro Referee: Raphiou Ligali (Benin) |
10 September 2025 AFCON qualifier | Swaziland ![]() |
0-1 | ![]() |
Mbombela, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 | Bissouma ![]() |
Stadium: Mbombela Stadium Attendance: 406 Referee: Jean-Claude Ishimwe (Rwanda) |
11 October 2025 AFCON qualifier | Mozambique ![]() |
1-1 | ![]() |
Maputo, Mozambique |
15:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto Referee: Pierre Jean Nguiene (Congo) |
14 October 2025 AFCON qualifier | Swaziland ![]() |
0-3 | ![]() |
Mbombela, South Africa |
21:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Mbombela Stadium Referee: Ring Nyier (South Sudan) |
15 November 2025 AFCON qualifier | Swaziland ![]() |
1-1 | ![]() |
Mbombela, South Africa |
17:00 UTC+2 |
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Stadium: Mbombela Stadium |
19 November 2025 AFCON qualifier | Mali ![]() |
6–0 | ![]() |
Bamako, Mali |
15:00 UTC±0 | Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger) |
2025 Matches
19 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Swaziland ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Mbombela, South Africa |
18:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Mbombela Stadium Attendance: 708 Referee: Lucky Kasalirwe (Uganda) |
23 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Swaziland ![]() |
3–3 | ![]() |
Mbombela, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Mbombela Stadium |
September 2026 World Cup qualification | Cameroon ![]() |
v | ![]() |
September 2026 World Cup qualification | Libya ![]() |
v | ![]() |
October 2026 World Cup qualification | Swaziland ![]() |
v | ![]() |
October 2026 World Cup qualification | Cape Verde ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Team Coaches
Here is a list of the coaches who have led the Eswatini national football team. Caretaker coaches, who fill in temporarily, are shown in italics.
Ted Dumitru (1983–85)
Dumisa Mahlalela (1992–93)
Scara Thindwa (1996)
Jan Simulambo (1997)
Francis Banda (1998–2000)
Dumisa Mahlalela (2001–02)
Mandla Dlamini (2003)
Francis Banda (2003)
Werner Bicklehaput (2003)
Dumisa Mahlalela (2004)
Francis Banda (2005)
Jan Van Winckel (2006)
Ayman El Yamani (2006–07)
Martin Chabangu (2007)
Raoul Savoy (2007–08)
Ephraim Mashaba (2008–10)
Musa Zwane (2010–11)
Obed Mlotsa (2011)
Caleb Ngwenya (2011–12)
Valere Billen (2012–13)
Harris Bulunga (2013–14)
Harris Bulunga (2014–16)
Anthony Mdluli (2017)
Hendrik Pieter de Jongh (2017–18)
Anthony Mdluli (2018)
Kosta Papić (2018–19)
Dominic Kunene (2020–22)
Dominic Kunene (2023–24)
Zdravko Logarušić (2024)
Sifiso Ntibane (2024)
Team Players
Current Squad Members
These players were chosen for the 2025 COSAFA Cup, which will be played from June 4–15, 2025.
The number of games played (Caps) and goals scored are correct as of June 9, 2025, after the match against Madagascar.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | Xolani Gama | 20 October 1999 | 11 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | GK | Bongiswa Dlamini | 4 April 2001 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
21 | GK | Khanyakwezwe Shabalala | 23 September 1993 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | Siphephelo Newman Philiso | 11 November 2003 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Kwakhe Thwala | 4 April 2002 | 38 | 1 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Thando Langa | 25 December 1999 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
12 | DF | Gift Gamedze | 7 September 1999 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
22 | DF | Simanga Masangane | 9 May 1997 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
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4 | MF | Neliswa Senzo Dlamini | 28 December 2002 | 34 | 0 | ![]() |
6 | MF | Innocent Dlamini | 8 December 1998 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
7 | MF | Felix Badenhorst | 15 June 1989 | 47 | 15 | ![]() |
9 | MF | Philani Mkhontfo | 4 April 1995 | 29 | 4 | ![]() |
10 | MF | Banele Sikhondze | 28 June 1993 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
11 | MF | Andy Junior Magagula | 12 January 1995 | 25 | 5 | ![]() |
13 | MF | Mpendulo Lungelo Tfomo | 17 March 2000 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
14 | MF | Mzwandile Mabelesa | 21 April 1993 | 41 | 0 | ![]() |
23 | MF | Njabulo Ndlovu | 29 December 1994 | 37 | 1 | ![]() |
24 | MF | Mxolisi Mkhontfo | 8 March 1993 | 21 | 1 | ![]() |
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15 | FW | Mayibongwe Mabuza | 20 August 1993 | 2 | 1 | ![]() |
17 | FW | Justice Figuareido | 28 July 1998 | 22 | 1 | ![]() |
18 | FW | Sambulo Simelane | 7 June 2001 | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
20 | FW | Sabelo Ndzinisa | 31 July 1991 | 77 | 17 | ![]() |
19 | FW | Fanelo Mamba | 29 October 2001 | 46 | 6 | ![]() |
8 | FW | Siyabonga Mthokozisi Gwebu | 30 June 1994 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
Players Recently Called Up
These players were called up for Eswatini in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Mlamuli Makhanya | 23 September 1996 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Mlungisi Nxumalo | 16 December 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Mathabela Sandanzwe | 9 September 1989 | 40 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Sibusiso Dlamini | 10 October 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
GK | Siyabonga Magagula | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup | |
GK | Ncamiso Dlamini | 19 October 1989 | 17 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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DF | Lindo Mkhonta | 10 April 1991 | 48 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Bongi Magagula | 20 May 1999 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Mxolisi Manana | 31 January 1994 | 15 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Sibongakhonkhe Silenge | 1 March 2000 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Sibonelo Sibandze | 13 June 1997 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Vusi Vilakati | 7 May 2001 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Nkhosingiphile Shongwe | 19 July 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Colani Dlamini | 27 February 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
DF | Siphosethu Mabilisa | 19 September 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
DF | Nkosingiphile Silenge | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup | |
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MF | Sifiso Matse | 14 May 1993 | 51 | 4 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Siboniso Ngwenya | 3 May 1994 | 20 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Thubelihle Mavuso | 6 October 2001 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Sisekelo Matsenjwa | 23 November 2002 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Sizwe Gwebu | 0 | 0 | v. ![]() |
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MF | Leon Manyisa | 3 June 1999 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Bongiswa Dlamini | 4 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Mxolisi Mkhontfo | 8 August 1993 | 19 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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FW | Sandile Gamedze | 3 December 1994 | 42 | 8 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Mthunzi Mkhontfo | 28 December 1993 | 33 | 3 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Bongwa Matsebula | 27 November 1997 | 22 | 3 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Njabulo Thwala | 2 February 1990 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Philane Thabo Mkhontfo | 4 April 1995 | 21 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Ayanda Gadlela | 1 July 1998 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
FW | Sizolwethu Shabalala | 5 August 1996 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
FW | Sibonginkhosi Dlamini | 21 November 1990 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
FW | Wandile Simelane | 9 October 1996 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
Player Records
Here are the players with the most games played and most goals scored for Eswatini. Players in bold are still playing for the team.
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Sabelo Ndzinisa | 76 | 17 | 2012–present |
2 | Tony Tsabedze | 71 | 8 | 2003–2018 |
3 | Sifiso Matse | 58 | 5 | 2017–present |
4 | Mxolisi Mthethwa | 52 | 3 | 1998–2010 |
5 | Lindo Mkhonta | 48 | 1 | 2018–present |
Wonder Nhleko | 48 | 5 | 2001–2018 | |
7 | Felix Badenhorst | 46 | 15 | 2008–present |
Fanelo Mamba | 46 | 6 | 2018–present | |
9 | Machawe Dlamini | 44 | 1 | 2011–2019 |
Sandile Gamedze | 44 | 8 | 2018–present |
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sabelo Ndzinisa | 17 | 76 | 0.22 | 2012–present |
2 | Felix Badenhorst | 15 | 46 | 0.33 | 2008–present |
3 | Mfanzile Dlamini | 9 | 35 | 0.26 | 1998–2009 |
Siza Dlamini | 9 | 39 | 0.23 | 1997–2010 | |
5 | Sandile Gamedze | 8 | 44 | 0.18 | 2018–present |
Tony Tsabedze | 8 | 71 | 0.11 | 2003–2018 | |
7 | Fanelo Mamba | 6 | 46 | 0.13 | 2018–present |
8 | Wonder Nhleko | 5 | 48 | 0.1 | 2001–2018 |
Sifiso Matse | 5 | 58 | 0.09 | 2017–present | |
10 | Sidumo Shongwe | 4 | 8 | 0.5 | 2011–2014 |
Sandile Hlatjwako | 4 | 15 | 0.27 | 2014–2017 | |
Junior Magagula | 4 | 24 | 0.17 | 2019–present | |
Philani Mkhontfo | 4 | 28 | 0.14 | 2022–present |
Tournament Records
FIFA World Cup Record
FIFA World Cup Record | Qualification Record | ||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 to 1966 | Part of ![]() |
Part of ![]() |
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as ![]() |
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1970 to 1978 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | |||||||||||||
1982 to 1990 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
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4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |||||||||
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4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | |||||||||
as ![]() |
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
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To be determined | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 9 | ||||||||
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To be determined | ||||||||||||||
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Total | – | 0/11 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 27 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 20 | 50 |
Africa Cup of Nations Record
Africa Cup of Nations Record | Qualification Record | ||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
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Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
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Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||
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5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | |||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||
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6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 12 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
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6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | |||||||||
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4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |||||||||
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6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 14 | |||||||||
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Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
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6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | |||||||||
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6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 14 | |||||||||
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4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | |||||||||
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8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 9 | |||||||||
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8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 15 | |||||||||
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To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
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Total | – | 0/35 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 73 | 10 | 24 | 39 | 51 | 133 |
COSAFA Cup Record
Team Honours
Regional Awards
- COSAFA Cup
- Third place (2): 2016, 2021
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Suazilandia para niños