Eswatini: Ex-Pirates coach masterminds Nsingizini Hotspurs league title retention

Former Orlando Pirates reserve coach Mandla Qhogi and his three compatriots have authored another beautiful story for Eswatini’s emerging football force, Nsingizini Hotspurs FC.

Qhogi successfully presided over Nsingizini Hotspurs’ retention of Eswatini’s MTN Premier League championship on Saturday, 16 May 2026, with two games to spare.

Mlungisi Hlatjwako was on target for the defending champions as they beat Rangers FC 1-0 at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium, to take their tally to an unassailable 61 points from 28 games.

MTN Premier League show for former Pirates coach and South African compatriots

Fellow South Africans Nhlanhla Hlongwa (assistant coach), performance analyst Tebogo Modise, and AmaZulu FC on-loan striker Senzo Ndlovu were part of the cast of glory.

It is the second silverware this month alone for Qhogi after he steered Hotspurs to the Ingwenyama Cup following a 1-0 victory over Green Mamba FC on 10 May 2026.

The 2027 CAF Champions League-bound Hotspurs are nine points ahead of second-place Young Buffaloes FC, each with two games remaining.

Buffaloes FC, the 2025 Ingwenyama Cup champions, can only go as far as 58 points if they collect maximum points from their remaining two assignments.

Adding to the Ingwenyama Cup

The domestic league title and cup silverware give the holders options of choosing whether to represent Eswatini in the 2027 Confederation Cup or the Champions League for 2027.

So far, the conversation in the team seems to be leaning towards Champions League participation.

The Qhogi-led side was part of the ongoing 2025-2026 Champions League, which concludes on Sunday, 17 May 2026, but they bowed out from the preliminary round after losing to Simba SC of Tanzania.