Eswatini football squad announcement delayed

The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has not yet announced the Sihlangu Semnikati squad for an upcoming international friendly against Malta, despite promising to do so by Tuesday. The team was scheduled to depart for the match against the European nation, set for November 12, 2026, in Ta’ Qali. This fixture marks the first time Eswatini will play a friendly against a European country.

EFA Marketing and Communications Manager Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe stated he was awaiting the executive committee's decision on the squad. He admitted on Tuesday that he had received no update and remained unaware of any new timeline for the announcement. The EFA had previously confirmed concluding engagements with the Malta Football Association (MFA) for the match.

Malta, ranked 160th by FIFA, is using the friendly as preparation for their UEFA Nations League match against Gibraltar on November 16, 2026. The EFA also recently appointed an interim technical bench led by Dominic Kunene for this FIFA international window, after failing for a year to name a permanent head coach.

Why it mattersEswatini football fans are affected by the delayed announcement of the national team squad for a historic international friendly.

Sources