MBABANE- Eswatini’s presence on the global football stage is no longer just about the players on the pitch, but the authorities presiding over it.
This year (2026), the country celebrates a monumental milestone as five of its top officials have now clocked a decade or more of service on the prestigious International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) panel.
The significance of the FIFA badge cannot be overstated. It is the ultimate seal of approval, transforming a local official into an international ambassador. Beyond the prestige, it opens doors to elite continental assignments and rigorous high-level training. Perhaps the greatest proof to this is Letticia Viana. Her journey since joining in 2015 has culminated in a historic appointment as a Video Match Official at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, proving that Eswatini’s technical expertise is now indispensable at the highest level of African football.
Leading this elite group is the lanky centre referee Thulani ‘Goje’ Sibandze, the veteran of the pack, who has maintained his status since 2012. He is followed by a formidable contingent that joined in 2014 and 2015, including Buyisile Mkhaliphi, Siphiwayinkhosi Nxumalo and Viana herself. The latest to join this ‘10-year club’ is Assistant Referee Zamani Simelane, who earned his international stripes in 2016.
Notably, this ‘hall of fame’ is dominated by women, reflecting the rapid growth and success of female officiating in the region. However, staying on this list is no easy feat. To make the cut, officials must pass gruelling annual fitness tests, demonstrate impeccable knowledge of the Laws of the Game and maintain high match ratings under intense scrutiny.
With 13 international referees currently representing Eswatini—including 2026 newcomers Sanele Ntimane and Pholile Simelane—the pipeline for talent looks secure.
“It is a huge achievement for the country. This means Eswatini’s presence on the global stage is felt.
“We congratulate the referees for this milestone. It is rare for the country to have such a long list of referees in the FIFA panel,” said Eswatini Referees Association Chairman Mbongiseni Fakudze.
THE LONGEST SERVING REFEREES:
Name Role Year joined
Thulani Sibandze Referee 2012
Buyisile Mkhaliphi Assistant Referee 2015
Letticia Viana Video Match Official 2015
Siphayinkhosi Nxumalo Assistant Referee 2015
Zamani Simelane Assistant Referee 2016
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