SOCCER – ESWATINI national football team received unexpected global exposure after American YouTuber and livestream sensation IShowSpeed was spotted wearing the Sihlangu Semnikati away replica jersey during his visit to the Kingdom yesterday.
The 20-year-old internet star, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., donned the Eswatini national team shirt bearing his name ‘Speed’ at the back and the iconic number seven, a nod to his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
The moment was broadcast live to millions of viewers worldwide as he kicked off his energetic IRL livestream from the Mantenga Cultural Village, instantly putting Eswatini in the global spotlight.
IShowSpeed, one of the most followed digital creators in the world, is renowned for his high-energy gaming content, dramatic reactions and travel livestreams that attract massive real-time audiences.
With tens of millions of subscribers and billions of views across his platforms, any appearance associated with him carries significant international reach, something local football authorities say was invaluable for the country’s image.
Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Manager Muzi Radebe described the moment as positive and far-reaching beyond football alone.
“This is very good feedback and a good image for the country. It is not only about the association or football but about Eswatini as a whole. When someone of his profile wears our national team replica, it places the country on a global stage,” he said.
Radebe added that such visibility highlighted the growing link between sport and tourism, noting that many visitors to the country often show interest in Sihlangu Semnikati merchandise as souvenirs.
“We have noted before that a lot of tourists who come into the country usually acquire the national team replica. This touches directly on sport tourism and marketing Eswatini as a sovereign nation,” he said.
The appearance of IShowSpeed in national colours comes at a time when Eswatini continues to seek innovative ways to market itself internationally, using culture, sport and digital platforms to reach wider audiences.
His livestream not only showcased local heritage at Mantenga but also subtly promoted the country’s football identity to millions who may never have heard of Sihlangu Semnikati before.
