MBABANE – Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane has urged the national Under-23 squad to market themselves to scouts during Monday’s AFCON qualifier in Algeria.
Speaking at the squad’s official send-off at Bethel Court in Ezulwini on Friday, Simelane hailed the team’s 2-1 first-leg victory over the North Africans at Somhlolo National Stadium on Wednesday, noting that the upset had drawn global attention.
“The win against Algeria has sent shockwaves across the world, so scouts will be watching the second leg; go there and market yourselves,” Simelane told the players.
“The win has sent shockwaves globally and has put the country on the world map. It is a big achievement defeating a world-class team like Algeria.”
The EFA boss thanked the players for bringing joy to emaSwati and challenged them to raise their performance levels even further in the return fixture at the 5-Juillet Stadium in Algiers, where kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 SAST.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were EFA Chief Executive Officer Frederick Mngomezulu and Marketing and Communications Manager Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe.
Meanwhile, Mngomezulu reminded head coach Friday Myeni’s troops of what is at stake, stressing that they are 90 minutes away from reaching the final round of qualifiers against the winner between Mali and Zimbabwe. The victor of that tie will book a ticket to the 2027 TotalEnergies AFCON finals in Egypt.
