Ex-Orlando Pirates development coach Mandla Qhogi has reacted to winning his first major trophy with Eswatini giants Nsingizini Hotspurs FC.
The Qhogi-coached side clinched the 2025 8Bet Trade Fair Cup last Sunday, 7 September. This came after they managed to secure a slender 1-0 win over Green Mamba at the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini.
The Eswatini Premier League champions, Nsingizini, roped in Qhogi in May 2025 after he parted ways with the KwaZulu-Natal side Milford FC, who are participating in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
This is not only Qhogi’s first trophy in Eswatini, but it also marks his first title as a professional head coach in his career of over 15 years.
MANDLA QHOGI GUNNING TO WIN MORE TROPHIES WITH NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS FC
Coach Qhogi expressed his delight at having won the 2025 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, citing that this is only the beginning of great things, as he aims to win more trophies with his team.
“You know, I’m very excited! Remember that I came from the youth structures. My first professional team as a head coach was Milford FC. Now, this is my second team,” Qhogi told FARPost in an exclusive interview.
“So, being able to win a trophy in my first season in Eswatini gives me a great opportunity to continue working for more trophies to come.”
WHY COACH MANDLA QHOGI TOOK THE NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS FC PROJECT
The former Sekhukhune United DStv Diski Challenge mentor went on to explain what motivated him to take the Nsingizini project.
“It was very exciting when they offered me the job. First, the vision they described and the purpose they want to achieve in improving the level of football in Eswatini drew my interest in taking on this project,” he added.
“So, looking at how the club is growing, it is one of the clubs that is developing very rapidly. Therefore, I thought it would be a good initiative to come to this side and also grow as a coach, moving out of my comfort zone.”
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