MBABANE – A bill of over E1 million is projected to cater for Sihlangu expenses during their trip to Malta next month.
Eswatini’s senior men’s national team, Sihlangu Semnikati, will make history on Thursday, November 12, 2026, when they face European side Malta in an international friendly at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, with kick-off set for 6.30pm.
According to the Skyscanner official website, the cheapest round-trip flight from OR Tambo International Airport to Malta is estimated at around E18 000.
For a delegation of 30 individuals, this figure totals over half a million Emalangeni for a return trip per segment, amounting to more than E1 million in total air travel costs.
Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe confirmed that an agreement has been signed between the two associations, but kept his cards close to his chest regarding its contents.
“There is a contract that has been signed and I have to respect that. Sometimes it is standard procedure. I cannot go as far as sharing administrative issues. The logistics are to be guided by the contract,” Radebe said.
Meanwhile, based on international football standards and bilateral match agreements, the visiting national association is normally responsible for paying its own international airfare and transit costs to the host country, although this depends on the specific terms agreed between the two nations. The host association generally covers local hotel accommodation, meals, ground transportation and training facilities for the visiting delegation during their stay.
The host nation typically takes care of stadium rental, security, medical personnel, as well as the travel and accommodation expenses for the match officials.
According to the Africa Soccer official website, Burkina Faso and Benin were promised assistance with travel and accommodation for their October friendlies against Argentina, yet both African nations faced significant problems and unexpected costs, according to an investigation by Afrik-Foot.
This landmark fixture marks the first time in history that Eswatini will play an international friendly match against a European nation.
The cross-continental encounter was officially confirmed by the Malta Football Association (MFA) on its official social media channels and verified by the Times of Malta Sports Desk.
For the host nation, currently ranked 160th in the latest FIFA world rankings, the fixture serves as crucial preparation for their decisive UEFA Nations League (League D1) clash against Gibraltar on Monday, November 16.
Under the guidance of Italian tactician Emilio De Leo, the Maltese side currently tops Group D1 with seven points from three matches, placing them in pole position ahead of Gibraltar (two points) and Andorra (one point).
Malta enter the clash on an impressive four-match unbeaten streak, having secured home and away victories over Andorra (1-0 and 2-1), a 1-1 draw against Gibraltar and a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein in September.
A victory against Gibraltar in their final group fixture will guarantee them top spot and promotion to League C, making the friendly against Sihlangu an ideal platform for De Leo to test squad depth and sharpen match fitness.
For Eswatini, ranked 164th globally, the landmark trip offers a rare stage to measure progress against European opposition and rebuild international momentum.
The match comes at a critical juncture for Sihlangu, who have been without a substantive head coach for over a year following the departure of former Croatian gaffer Zdravko ‘Loga’ Logarusic in September last year. Addressing the managerial vacancy, the EFA indicated that the appointment of a new technical team is imminent.
