EFA not interested in the sport – Fanie
“Another reason we are failing as a country when it comes to the sport, is that elite league teams don’t engage their former players,” he said.
The ‘General’ then thanked the Samuel family for coming to the country’s football and legends’ rescue as their former teams as well as the nation never appreciated them.
Meanwhile, EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radabe said he was yet to consult on whether they got the invitation to be part of the event as he was away for almost a month attending another assignment. Radebe was at the ongoing 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
He later on returned to say that there was no invitation which was sent through from the foundation to EFA.
Youngsters
On the other hand, the Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC) was represented by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darius Dlomo, who thanked the legends for standing up to give back to the nation by coaching the youngsters.
Dlomo, on the other hand, came hard on the football structures of the country. He said Eswatini employed wrong structures in the country’s football, as he wondered why the Chappies Little League was aborted.
“When I was informed about the foundation,
Mqolo Primary – Sibusiso ‘Spoko’ Dlamini Indumiso Primary –Fanie Teblenche
Lobamba National – Wicki Marks
Holy Rosary Primary – Pyscho Mavimbela Evelyn Baring Primary – Msimisi ‘SMS’ Ncanywa Siphofaneni Primary – Mgonodi Sidell
Our Lady of Sorrows – Bathathe Dlamini Hillside Primary – Zandile Bulunga
Nkwalini Primary – Thulisile Ndwandwe St Michael’s – Clement ‘King Clay’ Mdluli Sigangeni Primary – Bongani Dlamini
my mind started racing as I asked myself how our football was ‘loaned’ out. It is time to claim it back as the word ‘atibuye emasisweni’ suggests,” Dlomo said.
He said after a while still thinking, he came to the conclusion that the country employed wrong structures and the newly-formed foundation sought to take it back to the days, where Eswatini used to produce quality players.
“We are not using the correct components of developing the sport. Why was the Chappies League aborted? I think this foundation will use the right components of retrieving the sport from the wrong structures,” he said.
Dlomo said the way the foundation was structured showed that it was on the right track towards taking Eswatini football to greater heights. He hoped that they would see tangible products after the seven years projected.