- National team seeks redemption after slow start in Group D
BY VUYISWA MABILA
LOBAMBA – Eswatini’s senior national football team, Sihlangu SeMnikati, has departed the country for two crucial World Cup Qualifier fixtures against continental heavyweights Cameroon and Libya.
The squad left on Monday (1 September 2025) from the Technical Centre in Lobamba, where they were given a warm send-off by Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter Samora Simelane, Chief Executive Officer Frederick Mngomezulu, and other football administrators.
Fixtures Against Cameroon and Libya
Sihlangu will open their September campaign against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions this Thursday (4 September 2025) at the Complexe Sportif Japoma in Douala. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 GMT. Four days later, on Monday (8 September 2025), they will take on Libya’s Mediterranean Knights at the International Stadium in Benghazi, also kicking off at 19:00 GMT.
Mixed Fortunes in Previous Encounters
Eswatini’s most recent meeting with Cameroon in March 2025 ended in a hard-fought 0–0 draw at Mbombela Stadium, a result that gave the national team confidence against one of Africa’s football giants and five-time Africa Cup of Nations champions.
However, Libya has proved more challenging. In their last encounter on 17 November 2023, Sihlangu fell 0–1 to the North Africans, again at Mbombela Stadium. Coach and players will be determined to overturn that result when they meet in Benghazi.
Tough Group D Challenge
Sihlangu are competing in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, alongside Cameroon, Libya, Mauritius, Angola, and Cape Verde. With only two points collected from six matches, Eswatini currently sits at the bottom of the table and faces a steep uphill task if they are to improve their standing.
Despite the odds, the team remains motivated, buoyed by the encouragement of the nation and the leadership of the EFA. Supporters will be hoping the team can replicate the resilience shown against Cameroon earlier this year and perhaps cause an upset.
Travelling players
- Simanga Masangane – Royal Leopards FC
- Mzwandile Mabelesa – Royal Leopards
- Junior Magagula – Royal Leopards
- Gift Gamedze – Royal Leopards
- Ayanda Kunene – Royal Leopards
- Mlamuli Makhanya – Royal Leopards
- Bongwa Matsebula – Young Buffaloes
- Innocent Dlamini – Young Buffaloes
- Siphosethu Mabilisa – Young Buffaloes
- Mxolisi Manana – Green Mamba
- Newman Philiso – Mbabane Swallows
- Nkosingphile Shongwe – Nsingizini Hotspurs
- Khanyakwezwe Shabalala – Nsingizini Hotspurs
- Kwakhe Tfwala – Nsingizini Hotspurs
- Neliswa Dlamini – Nsingizini Hotspurs
- Thubelihle Mavuso – Nsingizini Hotspurs
- Mayibongwe Mabuza – Manzini Sea Birds
- Philani Mkhontfo – Manzini Sea Birds
- Joseph Gibonga – Manzini Sea Birds
- Mthobisi Zwane – Moneni Pirates
- Justice Figareido – Chippa United
- Alakhe Mdluli – Amazulu FC
(Pic: Eswatini Financial Times)
