SIHLANGU END 2022 IN TOP 150

MBABANE – Sihlangu are unmoved following the release of the last rankings for the year.

The Federation of International Football Associations released the latest updated rankings yesterday. These ratings were eagerly-awaited following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup, which was won by Argentina ahead of France last Sunday.  Sihlangu maintained the 143rd rank whereas some other countries were able to improve after the World Cup. Brazil maintained the top spot in the world rankings, with the reigning champions up a place to the second spot.

The current rating of 143 out of 211 football nations for Sihlangu remains the best for Eswatini after starting on the 147th spot back in February. It then went four steps up the ladder in the following month to take the 143rd spot.
The rank also puts the country on the 42nd spot out 49 in the continent, with the likes of Lesotho, Botswana and Liberia behind. Meanwhile, Morocco, who made history to become Africa’s first-ever semi-finalist occupy the first and the 11th spot in Africa and globally, respectively. A better ranking helps in terms of seeding during draws of major competitions. Best-ranked teams usually find themselves not playing tournaments’ preliminary rounds.

Improved

Meanwhile, Kunene appreciated the rankings and thanked all football stakeholders for this rank. He also believed that it could be improved, with players taking the full responsibility. “It’s always upon every player to take the country to the next better rank. We can achieve that only through players’ commitment either at the national team or club level. Any player could be selected anytime for the national duty. If they commit themselves more especially at their teams, the country will benefit as well,” Kunene said.

Some of the activities of the national team included the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers that ran from June until September, where they failed to pass through the group stages of the qualifiers. They also took on Botswana in July in the African Nations of Championship (CHAN) preliminary stages, where they lost on the away goal rule after playing a 2-all draw. They are expected back in action in March next year for the Cote D’Ivoire AFCON   Qualifiers. Kunene’s troops will be away at Cape Verde for the third game of the qualifiers. It is tentatively set for March 2023.

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