Eswatini national football team

Eswatini
Nickname(s)	Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield)
Association	Eswatini Football Association
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Dominic Kunene
Captain	Siyabonga Mdluli
Most caps	Tony Tsabedze (71)
Top scorer	Felix Badenhorst (15)
Home stadium	Somhlolo National Stadium
FIFA code	SWZ
FIFA ranking
Current	146 (19 November 2021)[1]
Highest	88 (April–May 2017)
Lowest	190 (September–October 2012)
First international
	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)[2] ; Semifinal; (1999, 2002, 2003)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup

The Eswatini national football team, nicknamed Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield),[3] 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.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record									FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930	Part of United Kingdom								Part of United Kingdom
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970	Not a FIFA member								Not a FIFA member
1974
1978
1982	Did not enter								Did not enter
1986
1990
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
2022									2	0	1	1	1	2
2026	To be determined								To be determined
Total	–	0/22	–	–	–	–	–	–	21	4	5	12	16	41

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record										Africa Cup of Nations 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	Did not qualify									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	To be determined									To be determined
2025	To be determined									To be determined
Total	–	0/23	–	–	–	–	–	–	57	7	18	32	36	109

COSAFA Cup

COSAFA Cup record
Year	Rank	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1997	First round	1	0	0	1	0	1
1998	Quarterfinal	1	0	0	1	0	1
1999	Semifinal	3	1	2	0	5	3
2000	Quarterfinal	1	0	0	1	0	2
2001	Quarterfinal	2	0	1	1	1	2
2002	Semifinal	3	2	0	1	5	5
2003	Semifinal	2	1	0	1	2	2
2004	Quarterfinal	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	Quarterfinal	2	0	0	2	1	3
2018	Quarterfinal	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
Total	0/20	49	16	15	18	50	57

Recent results

Win Draw Loss Fixtures

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

2021

26 March 2021 AFCONQ	Eswatini	1–3	Guinea-Bissau	Manzini, Eswatini
15:00 UTC+2	Badenhorst 21'	Report	Djaló 15' Semedo 25' Pelé 50'	Stadium: Mavuso Sports Centre Referee: Jean-Claude Ishimwe (Rwanda)

30 March 2021 AFCONQ	Senegal	1–1	Eswatini	Thiès, Senegal
16:00 UTC±0	Kouyaté 90+6'	Report	Gamedze 9'	Stadium: Stade Lat-Dior Referee: Sekou Ahmed Toure (Guinea)

8 June FIFA International Friendly	Mozambique	1–1	Eswatini	Maputo
15:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Estádio Nacional do Zimpeto Referee: Lebalang Mokete (Lesotho)

6 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A	Eswatini	3–1	Lesotho	Port Elizabeth, South Africa
17:00 UTC+2	J. Figuaredo 30' F. Badenhorst 42' K. Khethukulhe 57' M. Mabelesa 66' F. Mamba 45' 78'	Report	J. Thabantso 7' T. Khutlang 45+4' T. Bereng 72'	Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)

8 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A	South Africa	1–0	Eswatini	Port Elizabeth, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2	S. Mkhulise 42' T. Sibanyoni 59' 88'	Report	F. Mamba 26' F. Badenhorst 26' 45+1'	Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Wilson Julio Muianga (Mozambique)

10 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A	Zambia	0–1	Eswatini	Port Elizabeth
15:00 UTC+2	K. Chongo 19' Z. Chilongoshi 61' D. Chanda 65' K. Kampamba 68' S. Silwimba 86'	Report	M. Mabelesa 51' S. Gomedze 53' S. Mathabela 56' S. Magagula 57' L. Mkhona 76' F. Mamba 84'	Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)

14 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A	Eswatini	1–1	Botswana	Port Elizabeth, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2	Ndzinisa 19' Mkhonta 34' Figuareido 69' Gamedze 71'	Report	Kgamanyane 45+1', 65' Mohutsiwa 89'	Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Audrick Nkole (Zambia)

16 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Semi-final	Senegal	2–2 (3–0 p)	Eswatini	Port Elizabeth, South Africa
14:00 UTC+2	P. Djitte 58' M. Ndiaye 71' E. Kane 80'	Report	S. Magagula 11' S. Matse 15' S. Ndzinisa 20' F. Mamba 63' 67'	Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Osiase Koto (Lesotho)
	Penalties
	E. Kane A. Dien M. Ba		S. Gamedze S. Ndzinisa N. Mamba

18 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Third place match	Eswatini	1–1 (4–2 p)	Mozambique	Port Elizabeth, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2	S. Magagula 42' K. Mkhontfo 89'	Report	C. Mathe 4' S. Nangy 14' D. Muzé 15' M. Thauzene 39'	Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
	Penalties
	P. Dlamini L. Mkhonta S. Mkhwanazi S. Mathabela		J. Mapangane S. Nangy S. Malico A. Alifa

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification against Guinea Bissau and Senegal on 26 and 30 March 2021.[4]
Caps and goals are correct as of 25 March 2021.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Ncamiso Dlamini	(1989-10-19) 19 October 1989	2	0	Royal Leopards
1GK	Mathabela Sandanezwe	(1989-09-09) 9 September 1989	19	0	Mbabane Swallows
1GK	Khanyakwezwe Shabalala	(1993-09-23) 23 September 1993	1	0	Mbabane Highlanders

2DF	Siboniso Mamba	(1991-02-24) 24 February 1991	19	2	Young Buffaloes
2DF	Lindo Mkhonta	(1991-04-10) 10 April 1991	21	0	Young Buffaloes
2DF	Sihlangu Mkhwanazi	(1989-09-28) 28 September 1989	2	0	Young Buffaloes
2DF	Mlamuli Msibi	(1997-08-19) 19 August 1997	1	0	Royal Leopards
2DF	Sanele Tshawuka	(1990-02-11) 11 February 1990	4	0	Green Mamba

3MF	Sandile Gamedze	(1994-12-03) 3 December 1994	15	2	Young Buffaloes
3MF	Mzwandile Mabelesa	(1993-04-21) 21 April 1993	5	0	Royal Leopards
3MF	Sifiso Matse	(1993-05-14) 14 May 1993	16	1	Royal Leopards
3MF	Siboniso Ngwenya	(1994-05-03) 3 May 1994	14	0	Young Buffaloes
3MF	Wandile Shabangu	(1991-11-18) 18 November 1991	9	0	Young Buffaloes
3MF	Njabulo Thwala	(1990-02-02) 2 February 1990	1	0	Green Mamba

4FW	Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini	(1990-01-20) 20 January 1990	10	0	Young Buffaloes
4FW	Sidumo Dlamini	Unknown	2	0	Royal Leopards
4FW	Fanelo Mamba	(2001-10-29) 29 October 2001	13	1	Young Buffaloes
4FW	Sabelo Ndzinisa	(1991-07-31) 31 July 1991	36	7	Mbabane Highlanders
4FW	Nhlanhla Ngwenya		0	0	Mbabane Swallows
4FW	Muzi Tsabedze	(1998-09-23) 23 September 1998	1	0	Manzini Sea Birds

Recent call-ups

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

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up

Player records

As of 18 July 2021

Players in bold are still active with Eswatini.

Most appearances
Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Tony Tsabedze	71	8	2003–2018
2	Mxolisi Mthethwa	52	3	1998–2010
3	Wonder Nhleko	48	5	2001–2018
4	Machawe Dlamini	44	1	2011–present
5	Sabelo Ndzinisa	43	9	2012–present
6	Dennis Masina	42	2	1999–2011
7	Felix Badenhorst	41	15	2008–present
8	Siza Dlamini	39	9	1997–2010
8	Mxolisi Lukhele	39	1	2012–2017
10	Zweli Mandla Nxumalo	38	1	2011–2018

Top goalscorers
Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Felix Badenhorst	15	41	0.37	2008–present
2	Mfanzile Dlamini	9	35	0.26	1998–2009
	Siza Dlamini	9	39	0.23	1997–2010
	Sabelo Ndzinisa	9	43	0.21	2012–present
5	Tony Tsabedze	8	71	0.11	2003–2018
6	Wonder Nhleko	5	48	0.1	2001–2018
7	Sidumo Shongwe	4	8	0.5	2011–2014
7	Sandile Hlatjwako	4	15	0.27	2014–2017
9	Mfanafuthi Bhembe	3	15	0.2	2005–2011
	Sibusiso Dlamini	3	20	0.15	1998–2007
	Sandile Gamedze	3	23	0.13	2018–present
	Phinda Dlamini	3	27	0.11	2008–present
	Mthunzi Mkhontfo	3	28	0.11	2011–present
	Mxolisi Mthethwa	3	52	0.06	1998–2010

Coaches

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, caretaker)
Raoul Savoy (2007–08)
Ephraim Mashaba (2008–10)
Musa Zwane (2010–11)
Obed Mlotsa (2011)
Caleb Ngwenya (2011–12, caretaker)
Valere Billen (2012–13)
Harris Bulunga (2013–14, caretaker)
Harris Bulunga (2014–16)
Anthony Mdluli (2017)
Hendrik Pieter de Jongh (2017–18)
Anthony Mdluli (2018, caretaker)
Kosta Papic (2018–2019)
Dominic Kunene (2020–)

References

"The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
"Mozambique vs. Eswatini - 18 July 2021 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
zana-arts Archived 25 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
"Provisional List of Players for the Senior Men's National Team". Eswatini Football Association. Retrieved 25 March 2021.

External links

Official website

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.

[2021_COSAFA_3rd_place_match-2] "Mozambique vs. Eswatini - 18 July 2021 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.

[3] zana-arts Archived 25 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine

[4] "Provisional List of Players for the Senior Men's National Team". Eswatini Football Association. Retrieved 25 March 2021.

National football teams of Africa (CAF)
North Africa (UNAF)	Algeria Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia Western Sahara
West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar¹
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Non-regional Members	Réunion¹
¹ Associate member of CAF but not member of FIFA

National sports teams of Eswatini
Basketball M M U16 W U16 Cricket M W Football M W Rugby M M7 Volleyball
Olympics