MBABANE – Harare’s corridors of football power echoed with fresh regional appointments yesterday.
Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane reached another milestone in football administration. Simelane secured a breakthrough international endorsement after being elected into the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Executive Committee for the first time in Harare, Zimbabwe yesterday.
Simelane’s election came during the COSAFA elective Annual General Meeting (AGM), where regional football leaders gathered to choose new office bearers following integrity and eligibility checks conducted by the Governance and Compliance Committee.
The Eswatini football boss was among candidates contesting for Executive Committee positions in a closely-watched ballot overseen by the COSAFA Electoral Committee.
His successful election marks a significant achievement for both Simelane and Eswatini football, as it is the first time he has earned a place within the COSAFA executive leadership structure.
Botswana’s Oabile Thona Tariq Babitseng was confirmed as COSAFA president unopposed, while Madagascar’s Alfred Randriamanampisoa assumed the Vice Presidency. Zambia’s Brenda Kunda filled the reserved women’s seat.
Simelane now joins an influential leadership structure that will guide Southern African football affairs over the coming term. His latest appointment adds to an expanding international profile that has continued to elevate Eswatini’s visibility within global football circles.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) official social media platform Facebook confirmed these latest developments congratulating the new leadership. COSAFA also issued a statement confirming the results.
Notably, having a representative within COSAFA is regarded as a major diplomatic and strategic advantage for any member association. Influence at administrative level often shapes opportunities for development and competitiveness on the field.
Instead of merely implementing decisions taken by regional leadership, countries represented in the executive structure help shape policies, competition formats and the broader strategic direction of football in Southern Africa.
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