Sihlangu, SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup, other football programmes

GOOD

day dear reader more especially all women as yesterday the globe was commemorating the International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is, “Count her in. Invest in Women. Accelerate progress.” There are various ways in-which the globe can implement this theme.

The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) is executing this theme through the development of women’s football. This includes player development, coaching, administration, medical and refereeing development programmes among others.

For an example, players have been developed from the implementation of women’s football development programmes as we have players like Simangele Sikhondze, who is currently playing for Young Buffaloes Ladies and Sitsebe SaMhlekazi. She made it into the first XI team of the previous TotalEnergies CAF Champions League|COSAFA qualifiers. Another good example is Letticia Vienna who has officiated in the TotalEnergies AFCON Finals. This is an indication that with maximum investment towards the development of women’s football, the country’s flag could be raised sky high in as far as the international arena is concerned. It is for this fact that the EFA urges all football stakeholders to support the girl child as she develops herself through the beautiful game of football and otherwise. #countherin.investinwomen.accelerate progress.

SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup

The senior men’s national team Sihlangu SeMnikati has commenced its full-time camp in readiness of the upcoming TotalEnergies Preliminary Round Qualifier matches against Somalia. The first leg will be played in Morocco on March 20 and the second leg on March 26, 2024. The second leg will be played at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit and kick-off is at 3pm. These are make or break matches for Sihlangu, as they must be victorious in as far as the aggregate score is concerned to advance to the next round. Sihlangu must forget about the past as history cannot win matches and focus on the acidic test ahead.

Women’s Football development Programme

As an effort to develop women’s football in the country, the EFA will implement the examinations for the women’s football coaches at the technical centre in Lobamba. These coaches are being prepared for the upcoming execution of the Schools Women Football Development Programme. All the best coaches!

Basic Coaching Course

The Basic Coaching Course commences today in the six EFA’s centres which are Ngwane Park High School, Sigwaca House, KaLanga Technical Centre and King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. The course is categorised into two, as there are theoretical sessions and practical sessions. The theoretical session will be implemented online during the week, and the practical sessions will be done on weekends.