MBABANE – After 48 hours, EFA has still failed to deliver on its promise to announce the Sihlangu Semnikati squad for the upcoming international friendly against Malta.
Sihlangu are scheduled to jet out of the country for a historic clash set for Thursday, November 12, 2026, when they face the European side at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, with kick-off set for 6:30pm.
This landmark fixture marks the first time in history that Eswatini will play an international friendly against a European nation. The cross-continental encounter was officially confirmed by the Malta Football Association (MFA) on its social media channels and verified by the Times of Malta Sports Desk.
In a press release, the EFA also confirmed that engagements to secure the match had been successfully concluded with the MFA, with only administrative processes surrounding travel and hosting logistics remaining.
However, broken promises are rapidly becoming the norm for the Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane-led organisation. Over the past year, the EFA repeatedly pledged to announce a permanent replacement for departed Croatian gaffer Zdravko ‘Loga’ Logarušić, but has failed to deliver.
It was only on Friday that the local football governing body announced an interim technical bench led by former Head Coach Dominic Kunene, who will be assisted by Ezulwini United tactician Caleb ‘No Nonsense’ Ngwenya.
In that same Friday statement, EFA claimed a substantive head coach had already been identified.
“The EFA is currently finalising some finer compensation details. However, in view of the imminent international friendly match against Malta and the required logistical preparations, it has been decided that an interim appointment of coaches be implemented,” read part of the release.
The EFA added that the interim technical team was appointed strictly for this month’s International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) international window, with the new head coach expected to take charge during the course of the week.
Adding to the list of unfulfilled assurances, the EFA explicitly stated that the playing squad for the Malta fixture would be unveiled on Tuesday. That deadline came and went without any announcement.
When contacted on Tuesday, EFA Marketing and Communications Manager Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe said he was waiting on the executive committee to release the squad, but that promise failed to materialise.
Follow-ups made yesterday yielded no further progress, with Radebe admitting that he remained in the dark regarding the timeline.
“I have not received any update from the EFA Executive Committee pertaining to that issue,” Radebe conceded.
For Malta, currently ranked 160th in the latest FIFA world rankings, the fixture serves as vital preparation for their decisive Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Nations League (League D1) clash against Gibraltar on Monday, November 16, 2026.
According to Malta Daily’s report on Tuesday, the Malta national team are gearing up to face Eswatini and Gibraltar during the November international window, with Emilio De Leo’s men eager to maintain their momentum throughout both matches.
The publication reported that Malta face Eswatini in the friendly at 6:30pm at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium before focusing on their crucial UEFA Nations League fixture against Gibraltar on Monday, November 16 at 8:45pm at the Europa Sports Complex in Gibraltar.
Malta Daily reported that the host nation aims to build on a five-game unbeaten run across all competitions, having secured four wins and a draw over the past two international windows.
