Mbabane – Eswatini’s national under-15 boys and girls school football teams say they are ready to compete in the CAF Schools Championships, which begin this week in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The squads have concluded their final preparations at the Lobamba Technical Centre ahead of their Tuesday morning departure.
Coaches from both teams expressed confidence as they wrapped up their training programme, noting that despite challenges, the players are in strong shape for the continental event. Boys’ team coach Sifiso Dlamini said their aim is to go beyond last year’s performance, where Eswatini reached the semi-finals.
“Last year we reached the semis and the target now is to reach the final but we are not looking only at the final, we want to compete for the title,” he said.
Team captain Sinakekelwe Ngwenya echoed his coach’s optimism, saying the players are determined to give their best. He acknowledged that preparations were affected by exam schedules, with some players only joining camp on Monday, but insisted the team remains focused.
“We will do everything in our power. We want to return home with something,” Ngwenya said.
This is Eswatini’s second appearance at the championships. In the previous edition, the boys’ team was eliminated by Zambia in the semi-finals. For this year’s tournament, the boys’ squad will travel with 20 players, while the girls’ team will be represented by 18.
The teams are expected to begin their fixtures shortly after arrival in Stellenbosch.
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