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Swaziland are another side which can be counted amongst the minnows of African football, having never participated in the World or African Cup finals, while their highest ever FIFA ranking is 92nd. At present the team, known as the Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield), occupy 148th position on the world rankings.
In the 2010 World and African Cup qualifiers, Swaziland ended third, behind group winners Zambia, and Togo. Sihlangu Semnikati did however at least have the pleasure of recording a 2-1 home win over 2006 World Cup finalists Togo, thanks to goals by Siza Dlamini and Collen Salelwako, while they also held the Zambians to a 0-0 draw. Togo were also the country against whom Swaziland recorded their first ever World Cup qualifying victory, back in 1992.
With the exception of a few players such as Dlamini, Tony Tsabedze and Denis Masina who ply their trade in the South African Premier Soccer League, the majority of the Swazi international players are based in their own country, the Swazi Premier League, which consists of 12 clubs.
The league was created
in 1976 and has been dominated by Mbabane Highlanders, who have 12 titles
to their credit. Manzini Warriors have won six titles, while the current
champions are Mbabane Swallows.
