SOCCER – Senior Men’s Football Sihlangu Semnikati have dropped to 159th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, slipping one place from 158th.
The fall leaves the national team just a step above their all-time low of 160th and now the second lowest ranked nation in COSAFA after Mauritius.
The decline mirrors a disappointing run of results under coach Zdravko Logarusic following yesterday’s world rankings released by FIFA.
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In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers earlier this year, Sihlangu stumbled to a 3–3 draw against Mauritius, a match they were expected to win. They also suffered a humbling 3–0 defeat at the hands of Cameroon, exposing defensive frailties and lack of tactical discipline, on top of another 2–0 defeat to Libya.
The struggles extended into the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where Eswatini failed to make any significant impact. Their group campaign ended without a victory, further denting the team’s confidence and international standing.
At the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup in June, Sihlangu were eliminated at the group stages, once again falling short against familiar Southern African opponents.
Coach Logarusic has faced increasing criticism, with fans and pundits questioning whether his approach is capable of halting the slide.
The latest rankings confirm that Eswatini’s footballing fortunes are in decline, raising fears of a return to the basement positions of the global game. The country’s all-time lowest ranking remains 190th, recorded in 2012.
With more World Cup qualifying fixtures ahead, the national side must rediscover both form and belief to avoid deeper embarrassment.
Historically, Sihlangu have had a fluctuating history in the FIFA World Rankings since their introduction in 1993.
The nation’s highest-ever ranking came in July 2017, when Sihlangu reached 88th in the world, following strong performances in the COSAFA Cup and AFCON qualifiers.
