LOBAMBA – Ubombo Sugar FC Chairman Gcina Ndwandwe has flown the Eswatini flag high after being selected as a winner to attend the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The global showpiece sanctioned by the International Federation of Association of Football (FIFA) will be hosted across Mexico, Canada and the United States of America (USA) from June 11 to July 19.
The historic announcement was made by Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Chief Executive Officer Frederick Mngomezulu. Ndwandwe’s selection comes on the back of Ubombo Sugar’s exceptional performance during the FIFA Club Professionalisation Course.
Eswatini and Namibia emerged as the two nations selected from a pool of 14 competing countries, with the Ubombo Sugar FC official earning the ultimate prize due to their world-class club strategy, which aligned perfectly with rigid FIFA standards. FIFA will cover all travel and accommodation costs for the chairman, who will also graduate from the professionalisation programme in Miami.
Detailing the achievement, EFA CEO Frederick Mngomezulu explained that the course was held in March for all Premier League teams to assist with club administration. He noted that out of the 14 countries involved in this continental initiative, those who excelled were promised a chance to go to the World Cup. Mngomezulu praised the club’s administration, stating: “Ubombo Sugar’s leadership and strategic vision were incredibly sound and met FIFA standards. Building a strategy is no easy feat, but they nailed it.”
Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman Polycarp Dlamini thanked FIFA for bringing this invaluable course to local shores as they journey towards fully professionalising Eswatini football, noting that it shows tremendous confidence in the local setup. He congratulated the winners, adding that “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they are proving it can be done.” Dlamini stated that they expect the chairman to represent Eswatini with pride at the World Cup and return with crucial insights to help all local clubs, calling it a massive investment that proves the local game is moving in the right direction.
An ecstatic Ndwandwe expressed his delight at the club clinching the prize and joked that they do not do substandard work at Ubombo Sugar. Initially, he said he thought they were only competing locally against 16 teams, but it turned out to be a 14-country continental challenge.
“We submitted a meticulous 48-page strategic document that paints a clear picture of where we are and where we aim to go,” Ndwandwe said. “Our development coach, Yuki Masina, forms part of this strategy, and our efforts are already bearing fruit—we even picked up a Fair Play award last season.” He added that this win puts Eswatini football in the global spotlight and that if they can implement these structures, local clubs will become financially stable. “I am fully committed to growing the national game, not just for the benefit of Lubombo, but for the entire nation,” he concluded.
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