Shauwn Mkhize’s Mbabane Highlanders AM could face severe sanctions in Eswatini after their fans invaded the pitch and beat up the referee following a defeat to Mandla Qhogi‘s Nsingizini Hotspurs.
This was an Ingwenyama Cup Round of 16 tie on Sunday. It ended in chaos, with Nsingizini Hotspurs’ last-minute goal in additional time being the boiling point.
The match was played at Mavuso Sports Centre and ended 1-0. Marauding Mbabane Highlanders supporters invaded the pitch and assaulted the referee, believing he had deliberately extended the stoppage time, when Nsingizini Hotspurs finally found their breakthrough.
That fuelled heated protests and prompted security intervention. Former Orlando Pirates coach, Qhogi, helped Nsingizini Hotspurs secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
However, Shauwn Mkhize’s Mbabane Highlanders AM face potential disciplinary action after their fans invaded the pitch and violently attacked the vulnerable referee following the loss.
MBABANE HIGHLANDERS ISSUE STATEMENT AFTER THEIR FANS WENT WILD
In an apologetic statement, Highlanders said they acknowledged that the ugly scenes at the Mavuso Sports Centre were a disappointment.
“A day that began with colour, noise and all the hallmarks of a classic cup tie at Mavuso Sports Centre ended in deeply worrying and disappointing circumstances,” Mbabane Highlanders AM posted on Facebook on Monday.
“The closing scenes fell short of the standards expected of the game and cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of football. We now await further guidance from the relevant authorities on the way forward.”
Additionally, Mbabane Highlanders AM has been led by MaMkhize as club president since August 2025. Mkhize made a comeback to football after a raid was conducted by SA Revenue Service for falling behind on taxes.
That sealed her turbulent exit from former Premier Soccer League team Royal AM FC. Furthermore, in March 2025, Royal AM was sold after the SARS curator put up a public notice announcing the club would be auctioned off in a bid to recover a reported R40 million tax debt she owed.
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