Good start for U-23s
Gday dear reader. Praise be to God Almighty for the gift of life. For the past weeks, the focus was on the U-20 Men’s National Team, and now it is the U-23 Men’s National Team, which is competing in the TotalEnergies AFCON Qualifiers Morocco 2023. This competition also serves as the qualifiers for the 2024 Olympics to be hosted in Paris, France.
OOD U-23 Men’s National Team
The U-23 Men’s National Team did very well last Sunday by at least playing to a barren draw against Egypt at the Somhlolo National Stadium. This is an indication that football is a dynamic sport and matches cannot be won on paper but in the field of play. Anything is possible. The national team will play the second leg against the Egyptians tomorrow in Alexandra, Egypt. Eswatini needs a minimum of a draw with goals to advance to the third and final round of the qualifiers which will either be Zambia or Sierra Leone. This is a mission possible and the technical bench and the players know the significance of this match which I am sure is also important in as far as their careers are concerned. With this match, they can position themselves very well in as far as the football market is concerned. Yes, Egypt is one of the powerhouses of African football and they are the defending champions of the TotalEnergies AFCON U-23 Championship having won the previous edition in 2019, but that doesn’t mean our boys cannot match them pound for pound. The world is watching and the international scouts are watching which makes for even better motivation for these players as this match alone has the potential of changing their lives. The future is bright, with some of the players having represented the country in the recently completed TotalEnergies U20 Qualifiers and some having earned their full international caps. Come on boys, make your own history. Kubo!!!
Pick n Pay EFA Kick-off Football Development Programme
The day of the Pick n Pay EFA U15 Kickoff Football Development Programme has arrived and all roads leads to the Somhlolo National Stadium this morning. The U15 Eswatini Child will be displaying his/her football artistry at the national stadium and kickoff is at 8:30am. A total of 20 football teams will be competing for the national championships. These football teams are 10 pick teams for both boys and girls respectively who will be representing the Pick n Pay Stores. Since this football development programme kicked off, the EFA Youth Coaches were selecting the talent that will be playing today.
Once again, thank you very much Pick n Pay for investing towards the development of football in the country and the development of the Eswatini child. EFA and Pick n Pay would like to acknowledge all the stakeholders who supported this football development thus far. As today is the climax of this football development programme, both organisations cordially invite all stakeholders to go the extra mile towards the overall successful realisation of this football development programme by coming to support these youngsters during this event. A special invitation goes to the parents and relatives of these youngsters as their presence at the stadium will be an extra motivation for them. Great players around the world are products of similar football development programmes. These youngsters are assets of the country and who knows, they may end up earning a living through the sport and the country may end up benefitting from their talent. Let’s create the vibrant environment for the Eswatini Child through this event. Their success in the sport begins with you and please be counted in as far as their development is concerned. Yes, today is the Day of the Pick n Pay EFA U15 Kick-off Football Development Programme at the Somhlolo National Stadium and its free entrance at the gate. See you there and let’s make football development the ultimate winner. Till next week, football for all and safe life for all.