Eswatini national football team

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.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Eswatini women's national football team.

Eswatini
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield)
AssociationEswatini Football Association (EFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachDominic Kunene
CaptainSiyabonga Mdluli
Most capsTony Tsabedze (71)
Top scorerFelix Badenhorst
Sabelo Ndzinisa (15)
Home stadiumSomhlolo National Stadium
FIFA codeSWZ
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 144 Increase 2 (21 September 2023)[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)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
Bronze medal – third place2016 NamibiaTeam
Bronze medal – third place2021 South Africa

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.[4] 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
24 March 2023 AFCON qualification Cape Verde  0–0  Eswatini Praia, Cape Verde
15:00 UTC−1 Report
Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde
Referee: Charles Benle Bulu (Ghana)
28 March 2023 AFCON qualification Eswatini  0–1  Cape Verde Mbombela, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report
  • Mendes 56'
 Stadium: Mbombela Stadium
Referee: Jean Claude Ishimwe (Rwanda)
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification Eswatini  0–2  Togo Mbombela, South Africa
17:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Mbombela Stadium
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
5 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Eswatini  0–1  Botswana Durban
15:00 Report
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
8 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Namibia  1–2  Eswatini Durban
18:00
Report
  • Matse 41'
  • Matsebula 44'
 Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
11 July 2023 COSAFA Cup South Africa  2–1  Eswatini KwaMashu
18:00
Report
  • Matsebula 51'
 Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium
8 September 2023 AFCON qualification Burkina Faso  0–0  Eswatini Marrakesh, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Stade de Marrakesh
Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)
13 October Friendly South Africa  0–0  Eswatini Johannesburg, South Africa
Report Stadium: FNB Stadium
Referee: Retselisitsoe Molise (Lesotho)
16 October Friendly Botswana  2–1  Eswatini
November 2026 World Cup qualification Eswatini  v  Libya
November 2026 World Cup qualification Eswatini  v  Cape Verde

Coaches
Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 COSAFA Cup.[5]

Caps and goals correct as of: 11 July 2023, after the match against South Africa

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Mathabela Sandanezwe (1989-09-09) 9 September 1989 38 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows
1GK Ncamiso Dlamini (1989-10-19) 19 October 1989 13 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards
1GK Khanyakwezwe Shabalala (1993-09-23) 23 September 1993 1 0 Eswatini Mbabane Highlanders
2DF Lindo Mkhonta (1991-04-10) 10 April 1991 42 1 Zambia ZESCO United
2DF Siboniso Mamba (1991-02-24) 24 February 1991 37 2 Eswatini Young Buffaloes
2DF Sihlangu Mkhwanazi (1989-09-28) 28 September 1989 28 0 Eswatini Young Buffaloes
2DF Mlamuli Msibi (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 13 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards
2DF Mcolisi Manana (1994-01-31) 31 January 1994 3 0 Eswatini Green Mamba
2DF Vusi Vilakati (2001-05-07) 7 May 2001 3 0 Eswatini Mbabane Highlanders
2DF Lucky Vicky Gamedze (1995-10-08) 8 October 1995 1 0 Eswatini Madlenya
2DF Sibongakhonkhe Silenge (2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 4 0 Eswatini Green Mamba
2DF Simanga Masangane (1997-05-09) 9 May 1997 1 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards
2DF Mpendulo Lungelo Tfomo (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 0 0 Eswatini Mbabane Highlanders
3MF Sifiso Matse (1993-05-14) 14 May 1993 41 4 Eswatini Royal Leopards
3MF Mzwandile Mabelesa (1993-04-21) 21 April 1993 31 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards
3MF Siboniso Ngwenya (1994-05-03) 3 May 1994 20 2 Eswatini Young Buffaloes
3MF Kwakhe Thwala (2002-04-04) 4 April 2002 17 0 Eswatini Young Buffaloes
3MF Mxolisi Mkhontfo (1993-08-08) 8 August 1993 13 1 Eswatini Green Mamba
3MF Neliswa Dlamini (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 11 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows
3MF Bongwa Owa Matsebula (1997-11-27) 27 November 1997 9 2 Eswatini Young Buffaloes
4FW Sabelo Ndzinisa (1991-07-31) 31 July 1991 61 15 Eswatini Green Mamba
4FW Fanelo Mamba (2001-10-29) 29 October 2001 36 6 Eswatini Young Buffaloes
4FW Philane Thabo Mkhontfo (1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 15 1 Eswatini Mbabane Highlanders
4FW Siyabonga Mthokozisi Gwebu (1994-06-30) 30 June 1994 2 0 Eswatini Manzini Sea Birds
4FW Njabulo Magagula (1995-08-07) 7 August 1995 1 0 Eswatini Green Mamba

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 Sibusiso Dlamini (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 1 0 Eswatini Nsingizini Hotspurs v.  Togo, 18 June 2023
GK Xolani Gama (1999-10-20) 20 October 1999 0 0 Eswatini Green Mamba v.  Togo, 18 June 2023
GK Bhekisisa Dlamini (2000-08-14) 14 August 2000 0 0 Eswatini Moneni Pirates v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
GK Mlamuli Makhanya (1996-09-23) 23 September 1996 0 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
GK Mlungisi Nxumalo (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 0 0 Eswatini Young Buffaloes v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
DF Sikhumbuzo Magagula (1995-05-30) 30 May 1995 12 0 Eswatini Royal Leopards v.  Cape Verde, 28 March 2023
DF Gift Gamedze (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 0 0 Eswatini Madlenya v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
DF Mkhuleko Magagula (1995-05-10) 10 May 1995 0 0 Eswatini Manzini Sea Birds v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
MF Sandile Gamedze (1994-12-03) 3 December 1994 40 8 Eswatini Young Buffaloes v.  Togo, 18 June 2023
MF Leon Manyisa (1999-06-03) 3 June 1999 6 0 Eswatini Mbabane Swallows v.  Cape Verde, 28 March 2023
MF Bongiswa Dlamini (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 0 0 Eswatini Young Buffaloes v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
MF Mpendulo Dlamini (1993-06-26) 26 June 1993 1 0 Eswatini Young Buffaloes v.  Cape Verde, 24 March 2023 PRE
FW Thubelihle Mavuso (2001-10-06) 6 October 2001 1 0 Eswatini Nsingizini Hotspurs v.  Cape Verde, 28 March 2023
FW Njabulo Maziya (1995-05-10) 10 May 1995 1 0 Eswatini Madlenya v.  Cape Verde, 28 March 2023

Player records
As of 13 October 2023[6]
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 61 15 2012–present
3 Mxolisi Mthethwa 52 3 1998–2010
4 Wonder Nhleko 48 5 2001–2018
5 Machawe Dlamini 44 1 2011–2019
6 Sifiso Matse 43 4 2017–present
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 Felix Badenhorst 15 43 0.35 2008–2021
Sabelo Ndzinisa 15 61 0.25 2012–present
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 43 0.09 2017–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Part of United Kingdom United Kingdom Part of United Kingdom United Kingdom
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962
England 1966
Mexico 1970 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978
Spain 1982 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico 1986
Italy 1990
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
Qatar 2022 2 0 1 1 1 2
Canada Mexico United States 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 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
Total – 0/24 – – – – – – 57 7 18 32 36 109

COSAFA Cup
Main article: COSAFA Cup
Year COSAFA Cup
ResultMWDLGFGA
1997First round100101
1998Quarter-finals100101
1999Semi-finals312053
2000Quarter-finals100102
2001Quarter-finals201112
2002Semi-finals320155
2003Semi-finals210122
2004Quarter-finals100105
2005First round100103
2006First round210121
2007First round211010
South Africa 2008First round312032
Zimbabwe 2009First round320152
Zambia 2013First round301204
South Africa 2015First round321041
Namibia 2016Third place632197
South Africa 2017Quarter-finals200213
South Africa 2018Quarter-finals200203
South Africa 2019First round202044
South Africa 2020Cancelled
South Africa 2021Third place[2]623186
South Africa 2022Quarter-finals422072
Total21/21531817185759

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  2. "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. zana-arts Archived 25 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Courtney, Barrie. "Swaziland (eSwatini) - List of International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  5. "Final Squad". Eswatini Football Association.
  6. "Eswatini". National Football Teams.
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