A profile of 2018 COSAFA Under-17 Championship hopefuls Swaziland, who return to the competition in Mauritius from July 19-29 having missed the previous two instalments.

COSAFA Under-17 Championship wins (0): None
Last years’ finish: Did not enter

African Under-17 Championship appearances (1): 2003
Best finish: Group Stages (2003)

FIFA Under-17 World Cup appearances (0): None

2018 COSAFA Under-17 Championship fixtures:
20/07: vs Zimbabwe – 12h30 – Auguste Vollaire Stadium
23/07: vs Angola – 15h00 – St Francois Xavier Stadium
25/07: vs Malawi – 15h30 – Auguste Vollaire Stadium

Summary:
Swaziland make a welcome return to the COSAFA Under-17 Championships having not appeared in the last two editions that were also staged in Mauritius.

They have, however, come close to the title before after finishing as runners-up to South Africa in 2002 when the competition was decided on points.

Swaziland have also made a single appearance at the African Under-17 Championships after they qualified as hosts for the 2003 event the following year.

They did not manage to make it out of their pool though as they lost all three group games, going down to Egypt (0-1), Sierra Leone (0-2) and Guinea (0-6).

The Class of 2018 will be led by coach Velekhaya Mthethwa, who has good experience at this level and will be eager to test himself on the regional stage.

Swaziland have enjoyed some good success in their football of late, as Mbabane Swallows excel on the African club scene, while the senior national side finished third at the 2016 COSAFA Cup in Namibia.