Eswatini national football team

The Eswatini national football team, nicknamed Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield),[4] 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.

Eswatini
Nickname(s)Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield)
AssociationEswatini Football Association (EFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachZdravko Logarušić
CaptainMthunzi Mkhontfo
Most capsSabelo Ndzinisa (72)
Top scorerSabelo Ndzinisa (17)
Home stadiumSomhlolo National Stadium
FIFA codeSWZ
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 159 Steady (19 December 2024)[1]
Highest88 (April–May 2017)
Lowest190 (September–October 2012)
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
Appearances19 (first in 1997)
Best resultThird place
(2016, 2021)[2]
Semi-finals
(1999, 2002, 2003)

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

edit

Beginnings

edit

The team played its first international match against Malawi, winning 2–0.[5] 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

edit

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

edit

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

2024

edit
20 March 2025 AFCON qualification Somalia   0–3   Eswatini El Jadida, Morocco
Report
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Referee: Andre Kolissala Mbangui (Central African Republic)
26 March 2025 AFCON qualification Eswatini   2–2
(5–2 agg.)
  Somalia Mbombela, South Africa
Report
Stadium: Mbombela Stadium
Referee: Joseph Odey Ogabor (Nigeria)
Note: Eswatini won 5–2 on aggregate.
7 June 2026 World Cup qualification Angola   1–0   Eswatini Luanda, Angola
20:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Estádio 11 de Novembro
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)
11 June 2026 World Cup qualification Mauritius   2–1   Eswatini Saint Pierre, Mauritius
17:00 UTC+4
Report
Stadium: Côte d'Or National Sports Complex
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Mohamed Athoumani (Comoros)
26 June 2024 COSAFA Cup Eswatini   0–0   Botswana Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00 Report Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
29 June 2024 COSAFA Cup Mozambique   0–0   Eswatini Gqeberha, South Africa
12:00 Report Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
2 July 2024 COSAFA Cup South Africa   1–0   Eswatini Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00
Report Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
5 September 2024 (2024-09-05) 2025 AFCON qualifier Guinea-Bissau   1–0   Eswatini Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
16:00 UTC±0 Burá   14' Report Stadium: Estádio 24 de Setembro
Referee: Raphiou Ligali (Benin)
10 September 2024 (2024-09-10) 2025 AFCON qualifier Eswatini   0-1   Mali Mbombela, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report Bissouma   7' Stadium: Mbombela Stadium
Attendance: 406
Referee: Jean-Claude Ishimwe (Rwanda)
11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) 2025 AFCON qualifier Mozambique   1-1   Eswatini Maputo, Mozambique
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto
Referee: Pierre Jean Nguiene (Congo)
14 October 2024 (2024-10-14) 2025 AFCON qualifier Eswatini   0-3   Mozambique Mbombela, South Africa
21:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Mbombela Stadium
Referee: Ring Nyier (South Sudan)
15 November 2024 (2024-11-15) 2025 AFCON qualifier Eswatini   1-1   Guinea-Bissau Mbombela, South Africa
17:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Mbombela Stadium
19 November 2024 (2024-11-19) 2025 AFCON qualifier Mali   v   Eswatini Bamako, Mali
19:00 UTC±0 Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars

Coaches

edit
Caretakers are listed in italics.

Players

edit

Current squad

edit

The following players were called up for the 2025 AFCON qualification matches against Mozambique on 11 and 14 October 2024.[6]

Caps and goals correct as of 10 September 2024, after the match against Mali

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Xolani Gama (1999-10-20) 20 October 1999 (age 25) 3 0   Green Mamba
1GK Mlamuli Makhanya (1996-09-23) 23 September 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Royal Leopards

2DF Lindo Mkhonta (1991-04-10) 10 April 1991 (age 33) 44 1   ZESCO United
2DF Kwakhe Thwala (2002-04-04) 4 April 2002 (age 22) 29 1   Mbabane Swallows
2DF Mxolisi Manana (1994-01-31) 31 January 1994 (age 30) 15 0   Green Mamba
2DF Sibongakhonkhe Silenge (2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 (age 24) 12 0   Green Mamba
2DF Simanga Masangane (1997-05-09) 9 May 1997 (age 27) 8 0   Royal Leopards
2DF Sibonelo Sibandze (1997-06-13) 13 June 1997 (age 27) 2 0   Young Buffaloes

3MF Sifiso Matse (1993-05-14) 14 May 1993 (age 31) 51 4   Royal Leopards
3MF Neliswa Dlamini (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 21) 23 0   Mbabane Swallows
3MF Siboniso Ngwenya (1994-05-03) 3 May 1994 (age 30) 20 2   Young Buffaloes
3MF Junior Magagula (1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 (age 29) 16 1   Royal Leopards
3MF Thubelihle Mavuso (2001-10-06) 6 October 2001 (age 23) 7 0   Nsingizini Hotspurs
3MF Sisekelo Matsenjwa (2002-11-23) 23 November 2002 (age 22) 5 0   Young Buffaloes
3MF Sizwe Gwebu 0 0

4FW Sandile Gamedze (1994-12-03) 3 December 1994 (age 30) 42 8   Young Buffaloes
4FW Fanelo Mamba (2001-10-29) 29 October 2001 (age 23) 36 6   Young Buffaloes
4FW Mthunzi Mkhontfo (1993-12-28) 28 December 1993 (age 30) 33 3   Green Mamba
4FW Bongwa Matsebula (1997-11-27) 27 November 1997 (age 27) 22 3   Young Buffaloes
4FW Justice Figuareido (1998-07-28) 28 July 1998 (age 26) 17 1   Richards Bay
4FW Njabulo Thwala (1990-02-02) 2 February 1990 (age 34) 8 0   Green Mamba
4FW Siyabonga Mthokozisi Gwebu (1994-06-30) 30 June 1994 (age 30) 4 0   Manzini Sea Birds

Recent call-ups

edit

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 Sandanzwe (1989-09-09) 9 September 1989 (age 35) 40 0   Mbabane Swallows v.   Mali; 10 September 2024
GK Sibusiso Dlamini (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 (age 24) 2 0   Nsingizini Hotspurs 2024 COSAFA Cup
GK Siyabonga Magagula 0 0   Ezulwini United 2024 COSAFA Cup
GK Ncamiso Dlamini (1989-10-19) 19 October 1989 (age 35) 17 0   Royal Leopards v.   Mauritius; 11 June 2024
GK Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (1993-09-23) 23 September 1993 (age 31) 5 0   Mbabane Highlanders v.   Somalia; 26 March 2024

DF Gift Gamedze (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 (age 25) 5 0   Madlenya v.   Mali; 10 September 2024
DF Vusi Vilakati (2001-05-07) 7 May 2001 (age 23) 4 0   Mbabane Highlanders v.   Mali; 10 September 2024
DF Newman Philiso (2003-11-11) 11 November 2003 (age 21) 3 0   Mbabane Swallows v.   Mali; 10 September 2024
DF Nkhosingiphile Shongwe (2001-07-19) 19 July 2001 (age 23) 2 0   Nsingizini Hotspurs v.   Mali; 10 September 2024
DF Colani Dlamini (1999-02-27) 27 February 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Green Mamba 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Siphosethu Mabilisa (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Mbabane Swallows 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Nkosingiphile Silenge 0 0   Green Mamba 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Samkelo Ginindza (1992-09-18) 18 September 1992 (age 32) 4 0   Moneni Pirates v.   Cape Verde, 21 November 2023

MF Mpendulo Lungelo Tfomo (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 (age 24) 2 0   Mbabane Highlanders v.   Mali; 10 September 2024
MF Leon Manyisa (1999-06-03) 3 June 1999 (age 25) 9 0   Mbabane Swallows 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Innocent Dlamini (1998-12-08) 8 December 1998 (age 26) 3 0   Green Mamba 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Bongiswa Dlamini (2001-04-04) 4 April 2001 (age 23) 0 0   Young Buffaloes 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Mxolisi Mkhontfo (1993-08-08) 8 August 1993 (age 31) 19 1   Green Mamba v.   Mauritius; 11 June 2024
MF Mzwandile Mabelesa (1993-04-21) 21 April 1993 (age 31) 37 0   Royal Leopards v.   Mauritius; 11 June 2024
MF Njabulo Magagula (1995-08-07) 7 August 1995 (age 29) 4 0   Green Mamba v.   Cape Verde, 21 November 2023

FW Sabelo Ndzinisa (1991-07-31) 31 July 1991 (age 33) 69 17   Green Mamba v.   Mali; 10 September 2024
FW Philane Thabo Mkhontfo (1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 29) 21 1   Mbabane Highlanders v.   Mali; 10 September 2024
FW Ayanda Gadlela (1998-07-01) 1 July 1998 (age 26) 7 0   Mbabane Swallows 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Sizolwethu Shabalala (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 (age 28) 7 0   Mbabane Swallows 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Sambulo Simelane (2001-06-07) 7 June 2001 (age 23) 2 0   Nsingizini Hotspurs 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Sibonginkhosi Dlamini (1990-11-21) 21 November 1990 (age 34) 0 0   Nsingizini Hotspurs 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Wandile Simelane (1996-10-09) 9 October 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Moneni Pirates 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Neliso Myeni (1992-06-19) 19 June 1992 (age 32) 2 0   Nsingizini Hotspurs v.   Somalia; 26 March 2024

Player records

edit
As of 14 October 2024[7]
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 69 17 2012–present
3 Sifiso Matse 53 4 2017–present
4 Mxolisi Mthethwa 52 3 1998–2010
5 Wonder Nhleko 48 5 2001–2018
6 Lindo Mkhonta 46 1 2018–present
7 Machawe Dlamini 44 1 2011–2019
Sandile Gamedze 44 8 2018–present
9 Dennis Masina 42 2 1999–2011
10 Felix Badenhorst 41 15 2008–2021
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Sabelo Ndzinisa 17 69 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 44 0.18 2018–present
Tony Tsabedze 8 71 0.11 2003–2018
7 Fanelo Mamba 6 38 0.16 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 53 0.08 2017–present

Competitive record

edit

FIFA World Cup

edit
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1966 Part of   United Kingdom Part of   United Kingdom
as   Swaziland
1970 to 1978 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1982 to 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
  1994 Did not qualify 3 1 1 1 1 5
  1998 2 0 0 2 0 3
    2002 2 0 0 2 1 8
  2006 2 0 1 1 1 4
  2010 4 1 1 2 2 8
  2014 2 0 0 2 2 8
  2018 4 2 1 1 8 3
as   Eswatini
  2022 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
      2026 To be determined 4 0 0 4 1 6
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/11 24 4 5 15 17 47

Africa Cup of Nations

edit
Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1957 to   1968 Part of United Kingdom Part of United Kingdom
  1970 to   1976 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
  1978 Did not enter Did not enter
  1980
  1982
  1984 Withdrew Withdrew
  1986 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 8
  1988 Did not enter Did not enter
  1990 Did not qualify 4 0 3 1 3 5
  1992 5 1 2 2 4 9
  1994 Did not enter Did not enter
  1996 Withdrew Withdrew
  1998 Did not enter Did not enter
    2000 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 2 3
  2002 2 1 0 1 3 5
  2004 6 2 2 2 8 12
  2006 2 0 1 1 1 4
  2008 6 0 3 3 0 7
  2010 4 1 1 2 2 8
    2012 6 0 0 6 2 14
  2013 Withdrew Withdrew
  2015 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
  2017 6 2 2 2 6 9
  2019 6 0 1 5 2 14
  2021 4 0 1 3 1 9
  2023 8 2 3 3 8 9
  2025
      2027 To be determined To be determined
  2029
Total 0/25 65 9 21 35 44 118

COSAFA Cup

edit
Year COSAFA Cup record
Result Pld 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
  2008 First round 3 1 2 0 3 2
  2009 First round 3 2 0 1 5 2
  2013 First round 3 0 1 2 0 4
  2015 First round 3 2 1 0 4 1
  2016 Third place 6 3 2 1 9 7
  2017 Quarter-finals 2 0 0 2 1 3
  2018 Quarter-finals 2 0 0 2 0 3
  2019 First round 2 0 2 0 4 4
  2020 Cancelled
  2021 Third place[2] 6 2 3 1 8 6
  2022 Quarter-finals 4 2 2 0 7 2
Total 21/21 53 18 17 18 57 59

Honours

edit

Regional

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Mozambique vs. Eswatini – 18 July 2021 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. 18 July 2021. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  4. ^ zana-arts Archived 25 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Courtney, Barrie. "Swaziland (eSwatini) — List of International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Final Squad". Twitter. EFA.
  7. ^ "Eswatini". National Football Teams.
edit