AS JOURNEY TO AFCON FINALS BEGINS, IT’S: FAIR DRAW FOR SIHLANGU

MBABANE – Sihlangu have been handed a relatively fair draw in the group stages of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Sihlangu, who are still without a head coach, were drawn in Group I, following yesterday’s draw in Johannesburg. The highest-ranked side in the pool are Mali. The latter are ranked ninth out of 54 in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rankings. This is Mali’s 13th participation in AFCON. Nicknamed Les Aigles, Mali have qualified for the last nine editions of the AFCON, but are yet to win it. As per the draw, other rivals for 46-ranked Eswatini are Guinea Bissau and Mozambique. The former are ranked 29th in Africa. They debuted in 2017 in the continental showdown, while Eswatini is yet to make history and earn their first qualification.

Mozambique, on the other hand, have recently played a goalless draw with Sihlangu in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA).  They have qualified for AFCON four times. They are ranked 23rd and will be seeking their fifth appearance in the continental showpiece after their debut in 1986. Notably, Mali and Mozambique were part of the 2023 AFCON competition, staged earlier this year. CAF is also expected to release the fixtures with dates in due course. The qualifiers are set to get underway in September. The draw included 48 teams. These nations were split into 12 groups of four nations, where the top teams will progress to the finals, except in Group B, which includes the hosts, Morocco.

A total of 24 teams will qualify to play in the final tournament, including the automatically-qualified hosts Morocco. As per the CAF AFCON Qualifiers’ executive decision taken last year in November, the national team would pocket E6.7 million (US$350 000) if they could punch above their weight and top the group.

The rates also show that if they fall short of the top spot, they would be guaranteed about E4.8m (US$ 250 000) for the last qualification spot. Those who come third and fourth will get E2.9m (US$ 150 000) and E2.3m (US$ 120 000) consolation prizes, respectively. Their best performance dates back to 1972, where they lost 3-2 in the final against Congo. The second rival are neighbours Mozambique.  Meanwhile, Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Manager Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe said the country was in a tough group.

“There is no easy draw, and football is dynamic. It’s a tough group, with all countries having an equal opportunity to advance. Every nation has upped their game, and there is no longer any opponent you could underestimate,” Radebe said. It’s worth noting that the national team is currently without a head coach. Interim Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane’s term of office has elapsed after the COSAFA Championships.  EFA is currently trying to find the right man to lead Eswatini.

Expert view
Abel ‘Chacklas’ Shongwe (Kaizer Chiefs legend):  “I’m happy to see them in this group with the said opponents. These are not strong opponents, and with the same work rate from the COSAFA, I think they could perform beyond expectations. Eswatini is starting to improve; they must give ‘Nuro’ a chance to work with the boys. They were marvellous and comfortable with the ball, especially against South Africa.”  

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