BY THEMBA ZWANE
EZULWINI– The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning the country to compete strongly on the international football stage.
EFA Chief Executive Officer Frederick Mngomezulu shared this vision while addressing football stakeholders and FIFA experts during a stakeholder workshop held on 11 March 2026 at the Sibane Sami Hotel.
The two-day workshop was organised by the EFA to strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders and explore ways to improve football development in the country, particularly at grassroots and amateur levels.
Mngomezulu explained that the workshop brought together a wide range of partners involved in football development. These included representatives from the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council, and the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association.
The meeting also included representatives from the eight member associations that make up the EFA structure and play a key role in implementing amateur football programmes across the country.
“I see representatives from government and the two ministries responsible for sports and education. We also have our sports bodies and the Olympic association represented,” said Mngomezulu. “This shows the breadth of stakeholders who are committed to developing football in the country.”
He noted that the first day of the workshop focused on internal discussions within the EFA leadership. The session was officially opened by the association’s president and involved the executive committee and secretariat reviewing organisational reports and assessing progress in various football programmes.
The second day was dedicated to broader stakeholder engagement, allowing participants to discuss the current state of amateur and grassroots football in Eswatini and identify opportunities for growth.
Mngomezulu emphasised that collaboration among all stakeholders is essential if the country is to improve the quality of its football structures and become competitive internationally.
“As we gather here, we are collaborating to assess the landscape of amateur and grassroots football in the country,” he said. “Our aim is to appreciate where we are and also gather ideas that will help us move forward and improve our standards as we position ourselves to compete successfully at international level.”
He encouraged participants to exchange ideas openly and engage in critical discussions that could lead to practical solutions for strengthening football development nationwide.
Mngomezulu also urged stakeholders to interact freely during the workshop, saying the discussions were designed to encourage collaboration across different sectors of the football community.
“You are free to engage with anyone from any association or organisation represented here,” he told participants. “We are here to exchange ideas and engage in critical thinking so that we can come up with strong solutions that will take our football forward.”
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts by the EFA to strengthen football structures across the country, with particular focus on youth development, grassroots participation and improving the quality of amateur competitions.
Football administrators believe that building a strong foundation at grassroots level is key to producing talented players who can represent Eswatini on regional and international platforms.
Through initiatives such as the stakeholder workshop and continued collaboration with international football bodies, the association hopes to create sustainable development pathways that will elevate the country’s football standards.
Stakeholders attending the workshop expressed optimism that collective planning and shared commitment will help unlock the potential of football in Eswatini, paving the way for stronger performances on the international stage.
#EFA #FIFA #EswatiniFootball #SportsDevelopment #GrassrootsFootball
(Courtesy Pic)
