Mandla Qhogi and SA quartet celebrate Ingwenyama Cup success

Former Orlando Pirates FC under-19 coach Mandla Qhogi and three compatriots celebrated their Ingwenyama Cup exploits, with the quartet showing off their South African colours.

The South African coach steered Nsingizini Hotspurs to the national cup glory after seeing off Green Mamba FC 1-0 at Somholo Stadium on Sunday, 10 May 2026.

Centre-forward Ayanda Gadlela’s extra-time goal earned the MTN Premier League defending champions their first-ever Ingwenyama Cup.

Mandla Qhogi shows his South African flag

The ex-Pirates development coach Qhogi celebrated the glory by draping himself in the South African flag. Posting on his Facebook page, he said: “Hard work pays.”

His compatriots, Nhlanhla Hlongwa (assistant coach), performance analyst Tebogo Modise and AmaZulu FC on-loan striker Senzo Ndlovu also joined the party right on the pitch after the final.

The two Eswatini MTN Premier League titans stretched each other to the limit in the national cup final, with neither side able to find the back of the net in 90 minutes.

Gadlela wins it for Nsingizini Hotspurs

The game inevitably descended into extra-time, which saw Gadlela seizing the moment to score the priceless goal, a curling effort that Mamba FC goalkeeper Lindokuhle Manda could do nothing about.

The first-ever Ingwenyama Cup for Nsingizini Hotspurs guarantees them 2027 CAF Confederation Cup participation option if they don’t retain the league.

It is the second silverware for former Pirates man Qhogi, who guided the MTN Premier League holders to the 2024 title, paving the way for their maiden participation in the 2025-2026 CAF Champions League.

Goodwill messages from Palacios and Nkota

Ahead of the final, former Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios and Bafana Bafana striker Mahau Nkota sent goodwill messages to Qhogi.

Mandla Qhogi spent 18 years in the youth team structures of the Betway Premiership side and managed the reserve side, also called DStv Diski Challenge team.

The man, who groomed Zakhele Lepasa, Relebohile Mofokeng and Lyle Foster, left Pirates in 2024 at the end of his contract.