(At the Mountain View International Hotel)
MBABANE – You reap what you sow.
This adage certainly holds true for the schools that have reached the semi-finals of the 2026 KFC Scara Thindwa Soccer Foundation.
These deserving schools were presented with full soccer kits, courtesy of KFC, the main sponsors of this development football programme. The presentation ceremony took place yesterday at the Mountain View International Hotel.
The event saw a gathering of prominent figures including KFC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nigel England, foundation founder Absalom ‘Scara’ Thindwa, Eswatini Football Association (EFA) CEO Frederick Mngomezulu, Ministry of Education and Training Under Secretary (US) Lungelo Nhlengentfwa and Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Bongani Nzima, who was represented by Director of Sports Lucky Sihlongonyane.
Also present were Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) CEO Darius Dlomo and Eswatini Schools Sports Association (ESSA) Vice President Thami Shongwe, alongside representatives from the participating schools.
England said yesterday’s event was about presenting the kits to the deserving schools to further motivate them to do well in the tournament.
“We are getting closer to the end of the tournament and the finals will be in a few weeks’ time, so we hope that the pupils have been enjoying their games and working very hard,” he remarked.
He said it is always a pleasure to see the results from the tournament, which is the brainchild of the legendary former Bulembu Black Aces and South Africa’s Betway Premiership outfit Kaizer Chiefs star, ‘Scara’, and this is what motivates them to continue supporting the tournament. “We also give away equipment to schools after the conclusion of the tournament, which I think further motivates the schools a lot,” England said.
He also expressed his hope that every pupil is working hard academically, which also puts them in the right frame of mind as they focus on sports as well. “Sports and academics go hand in hand and if you work hard on both you will excel,” he said.
England further assured that KFC will continue its support as they are seeing a lot of success in the three years they have been involved in the tournament.
“We are now seeing success as a lot of young players are being spotted and going on to greater things. I hope the World Cup coinciding with the finals of this tournament is also motivating all the boys and girls to really work hard,” he added.
He further said that the tournament will act as a platform for the youngsters to be spotted for the national teams or go overseas.
Meanwhile, Scara thanked KFC for believing in young people as well as the government ministries, football stakeholders, schools, coaches, teachers and parents for their support in the tournament.
“Today is not simply about receiving football kits but to officially launch the KFC Eswatini-sponsored tournament following the successful branch games,” Thindwa said.
The ESSA Vice President, who spoke on behalf of President Zakhele Myeni, revealed that the tournament started with its focus on the boy-child and they are happy that it now includes the girl-child.
He also appreciated the foundation for taking the outstanding pupils to South Africa for an attachment with Kaizer Chiefs, which he said motivates the pupils a lot. It is worth noting that last year a group of pupils and teachers were taken to watch Amakhosi playing against TS Galaxy at the state-of-the-art Mbombela Stadium.
The total cost for all the soccer kits, boots, balls and referees’ kits presented amounted to E223 770. Following the presentation, the draw for the semi-finals was conducted. The games will be played on July 2 at a venue yet to be communicated.
KFC CEO Nigel England (3rd R) with the KFC/Scara Thindwa Soccer Foundation stakeholders after the kit presentation at Mountain View International Hotel yesterday. (Pic: Machawe Fakudze)