EFA’s Year 2021 in a nutshell
Gday dear reader and happy holidays. Today marks the last EFA column for the year 2021 and let’s Praise the Lord Almighty for the gift of live thus far under this challenging environment where the globe is being threatened by numerous diseases that have resulted in the loss of many lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has been the major illness that has terrorised our lives and it has caused a lot of havoc in the global economy.
OOD EFA’S GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The EFA elections was one of the prime events of the organisation where Mr. Peter Simelane was elected in office with his Executive Committee in an event that was implemented at a very high professional level. This event was also acknowledged by CAF’s Executive Committee Member and Botswana Football Association’s President Mr. Maclean Letshwiti which demonstrated a good image of the organisation in as far as its business is concerned.
NATIONAL TEAMS
The major highlight for the national team was the heroic performance of the Senior Men’s National Team (Sihlangu) against Senegal who are the top national team on the African continent as per the FIFA World rankings. Sihlangu went to this match as underdogs but they stood against all odds and drew the match 1-1 with the Senegalese national team equalising on the last minute of the game. That was a great fantastic result by the Dominic Kunene led side. The goal scored by Sabelo Gamedze was classic and by taking the lead in the 4th minute did show our capabilities as a nation even when playing against the so-called powerhouses of African football. The national team also had a surprise package for Zambia in the COSAFA Cup in Gqeberha, South Africa. The national team got a bronze in that competition after being knock-out by Senegal in the semi-finals, a match that the local side once lead by 2-0 only for Senegal to equalise in the second half and went all the way in the penalty shoot-out.
It was not a good year for the senior women national team (Sitsebe) as they did not play very well in the COSAFA Cup in Gqeberha. Sitsebe is one of the EFA’s products that the organisation will definitely prioritise for its upliftment in the new year. With the Women strategic plan yet to be launch, great improvement is anticipated in as far as women’s football is concerned. Talking about the development of women’s football, the potential is there as it was displayed by the U20 Women national team during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Qualifier match against Mozambique. The players that played against Mozambique are the products of the EFA’s Women Football Development Programme.
The U17 Boys National Team is fresh from the Region 5 games where the players showed great potential of being full national team players in future. During this competition, the matches were coming thick and fast but the boys did their level best. There is light at the end of the tunnel for these players. As for the U20 national team, a lot was expected from them as host for the COSAFA Cup. The opportunity to make history is still there come 2022.
COURSE AND WORKSHOPS
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic affected the normal implementation of football business, some courses and workshops were implemented virtually. These were both local and international courses and workshops.
VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
The football family is also involved in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Over and above the encouragement of the football family and the public at large to implement the COVID-19 protocols EFA implemented a vaccination campaign as the country and the globe continue to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
SIHLANGU REPLICAS
The official launch of Sihlangu replicas was implemented and football fans who are the consumers of the beautiful game can purchase them. Each cost E450 and they are still available at the Century Fashions (Mbabane), African Heritage (Manzini) and Mr. Matata (Moneni and Big Bend).
Merry Chrismas and a Prosperous New Year. Till next year, football for all and safe life for all.
#Stop gender-based violence and child abuse