National teams

GOOD day dear reader. Praise be to God for the Gift of Life. As it is another weekend and we are involved in different activities, please do not forget to ‘avoid the mourning after’ as per what the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF) is advocating. Last weekend was not about football activities only, but there was another important event in the country at Hlane Royal Residence. This was the Hlane Buganu Ceremony. What an event as it lived up to the expectation. Eswatini was promoted to the international community as tourists were part of this experience.

SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup

Speaking of last weekend’s cultural activities, the SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup enhanced what was tagged as ‘I weekend enkulu’ in the country. The implementation of the semi-finals of this unique competition was spot-on as culture is also part of the SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup. Congratulations to all the stakeholders who made last weekend’s semi-finals to be a huge success. The Somhlolo National Stadium was abuzz and all the football teams, athletes and the cultural groups did very well in entertaining the football fans. Indeed, football was the ultimate winner. As a football loving nation, we cannot wait for the finals. It was encouraging to get some congratulatory remarks from beyond the borders of this country about last weekend’s semi-finals. Some of these people watched the matches and have promised to come back for the finals. Sports tourism is being enhanced which is good for our country. This also speaks to our conduct at the stadium; thus, it is very important to always be on top of our game. Come what may, this is a must watch final.

Sihlangu

The Senior Men’s National Team (Sihlangu SeMnikati) is in a full-time camp that commenced last week Friday. As part of the training programme, the national team had three training matches against local teams which are Manzini Sea Birds F.C., Mbabane Swallows F.C. and Nsingizini Hotspurs F.C. Yes, the national team won those practice matches but, the main objectives for their implementations was for the technical bench to execute different combinations with different opponents. As per the nature of practice matches, where the coaches are at liberty to use all the players; this is what the technical bench wanted to do before confirming the travelling players for the match against Somalia. These practice matches also helped them to reinforce their tactics as practice matches accommodate the flexibility of tactics.

One may think that a practice match is the same as a friendly match where as the two are different thus; the coach can request a practice match or a friendly match depending on his objectives. In a friendly match the expectation is always to win thus; less risks are being taken by the technical bench as prestige is always at stake. A friendly match is more competitive and in the case of national teams, some have implications in as far as the FIFA rankings are concerned.

As the national team finalise its preparations for this vital assignment of eliminating Somalia, the technical bench and the players are aware of what is at stake which is to qualify for the next round of the TotalEnergies AFCON Qualifiers. They are not representing themselves but the country thus; our support is key. Player number 12 (fans) is very important in as far as qualifying to the next round is concerned. Come on Sihlangu, in you we believe!

Junior National Team

Today, the U20 boys’ and girls’ and U17 boys’ and girls’ national teams will execute their training. All these national teams are preparing for the upcoming international friendly matches that will be confirmed in due course.

Till next week, football for all and safe life for all.

#Stop gender-based violence and child abuse.