Nsingizini Hotspurs coach Mandla Qhogi has given on-loan AmaZulu FC striker Senzo ‘Mbhobho’ Ndlovu a new lease of life in Eswatini.
Following his January switch to the Eswatini champions, Ndlovu has finally found his scoring touch. In two matches, he has already bagged three goals.
Qhogi lost three key players – defender Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala and two forwards, Sambulo ‘Masoso’ Simelane and Joel ‘Ginger’ Madondo – ahead of the January transfer window.
One of the replacements brought in by Qhogi was Ndlovu, who has quickly made his impact. The prolific striker arrived in Eswatini following a frustrating period in South Africa. Despite signing a three-year deal with AmaZulu after a sensational 23-goal season with ABC Motsepe League side Sinenkani FC, the 30-year-old found game time hard to come by in the Betway Premiership. A brief stint training with Durban City FC also failed to yield the necessary momentum.
Former Orlando Pirates development coach, Qhogi, admitted that the striker arrived with his confidence bruised.
“He was demotivated by the unsuccessful loan stints after leaving Sinenkani. He was not in AmaZulu’s plans for this season,” Qhogi told FARPost. Known for his clinical finishing, which saw him top the Khabba Cup scoring charts, Ndlovu has immediately addressed Nsingizini’s scoring woes.
‘HE CAME AT THE RIGHT TIME’: QHOGI ON NDLOVU
“You look at a player like Senzo ‘Mbhobho’ Ndlovu… He is a very prolific striker who scores goals. He played two and scored three. I think he came at the right time for us because we were lacking goals.” Despite losing key players last month, Qhogi’s side remains top of the table.
“It was the first time for this club to export four players at once and still have a team that is competitive. We brought quality, and the players are thinking they are adding to the club and to this country.”
Qhogi describes Ndlovu as a “box striker” who doesn’t thrive on running into space, “but is always in the box, especially in the central channel.” On Sunday, Nsingizini clash with Shauwn Mkhize’s Mbabane Highlanders in the Ingwenyama Cup Round of 16.
The two teams clashed last weekend in a league game, where Highlanders lost 4-2. “It’s not going to be an easy game since we played them last week and managed to beat them 4-2 in the league. So, this time around, Highlanders won’t be willing to give up easily. I expect them to come guns blazing. Also, given MaMkhize’s character, they will want to make sure they win this one because that’s the only trophy that is left that they can realistically win.” Highlanders are currently 11th on the league table.
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