BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBABANE-With darts flying, scores being counted and pressure mounting, Team Eswatini Darts is preparing to battle for national pride at the AUSC Region V Darts Confederation Games 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana.
The competition is scheduled for 24–28 August 2026, with Eswatini sending senior ladies, senior men and under-25 players to represent the kingdom on the regional stage.
Among the senior ladies carrying Eswatini’s hopes is Nonsikelelo Msibi of Green Roses, who is approaching the competition with determination and an ambition to bring home gold.
“I am so grateful and happy about it, hoping to bring Gold home,” said Msibi.
The road to competing at regional level has not always been smooth for the darts player. Msibi admitted that maintaining consistent performances can be challenging, particularly after competing in different tournaments.
“It was not good because sometimes when playing other tournaments you do not perform the way I want to, and being constantly on maintaining portions, it’s very hard,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Msibi believes preparation requires both physical effort and strong mental focus.
According to her, players must remain fully focused during matches while also developing sharp mathematical skills, as darts requires quick calculations and accurate finishing.
“Mentally you have to have your full focus on it, not thinking other things, and be very good in maths because of counting and finishing the game very fast before the opponent,” she said.
For Msibi, representing Eswatini is about more than individual achievement. She believes Team Eswatini’s growing reputation can give the squad confidence, with opponents aware of the threat posed by the kingdom’s players.
She singled out fellow players Flag Nxumalo and Bafana Nkambule as teammates to watch during the competition.
The senior ladies team will be led by Thobile Gumedze, with Msibi joined by Nonhlanhla Mndzebele and Simphiwe Madzinane.
Eswatini’s senior men’s team will feature Flag Nxumalo, Bafana Nkambule, Senzo Fakudze, Sifiso Simelane, Banele Mndzebele and Elvis Shongwe, while the under-25 team includes Neliswa Mhlanga and Mbali Sihlongonyane.
With the tournament approaching, the message from the squad is clear: one team, one aim, one nation.
Msibi, affectionately known as “Mama Jojo”, is promising to give everything for the national colours.
“I’m promising Gold medal and I will always lift Eswatini flag higher and higher,” she said.
As Team Eswatini heads to Gaborone, the players will need precision, concentration and composure to turn their throws into victories.
For Msibi, every dart thrown will carry more than a score — it will carry the hopes of a nation.
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(Courtesy Pic)
