Former Orlando Pirates development coach Mandla Qhogi has reacted to his historic, treble-winning campaign in Eswatini with Nsingizini Hotspurs FC, admitting he used to fantasise about mimicking the senior Buccaneers’ success.
Qhogi, who took over the reins at the Eswatini giants in May 2025 following his departure from Motsepe Foundation Championship side Milford FC, has enjoyed a fairytale debut season.
In just three months at the helm of Nsingizini, the tactician secured his first piece of silverware by lifting the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup. That triumph laid the foundation for an extraordinary campaign, as the club went on to clinch the Ingwenyama Cup and the MTN Premier League title, officially sealing a remarkable treble.
The former Sekhukhune United DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] mentor has guided his side to the summit of the log, where they are cruising comfortably with 64 points after 29 games. Hotspurs have just one match remaining to conclude their unforgettable 2025/26 campaign.
The club’s last game of the season will be away at Manzini Sea Birds on Saturday, 30 May. The kick-off is set for 15:00 CAT.
MANDLA QHOGI ON HIS HISTORIC TREBLE ACCOMPLISHMENT
Reflecting on the monumental achievement, Qhogi admitted that winning a treble is a dream come true—one inspired by his days at the Buccaneers.
“You know, it’s very exciting and a good feeling to have won a treble,” Qhogi told FARPost. “We used to see this when we were still at Orlando Pirates’ development, and the senior team was winning a treble.
“So, we always fantasised about achieving the very same feat and being part of it. I think for me now, it is a good and sweet feeling that I would want to be consistent.”
MANDLA QHOGI ON BUILDING MOMENTUM AND MAKING HISTORY
Qhogi noted that their early-season success in the Trade Fair Cup set the tone for the rest of the campaign, even aiding their continental simulation in the CAF Champions League, where they bowed out in the second preliminary round.
“If you see, I first won my first trophy as a senior coach at this club when we won the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup. So, it has built momentum for us that helped us showcase our quality in the CAF Champions League, despite being knocked out in the second preliminary round,” he explained.
“But the display that we showed throughout the season was amazing. We went on to reach the final of the Ingwenyama Cup for the first time in the club’s history. We ended up being the champions, and it was a special feeling.
“It was like you were dreaming, and you didn’t want to wake up from that dream because you were dreaming of all the good things. So, clinching the league over the weekend summed up everything that we have worked hard for during this period.”
Moreover, last November, Nsingizini were crowned joint champions of the annual Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup.
The final against Betway Premiership side AmaZulu FC, scheduled for the Prince Mangosuthu Regional Stadium in Ulundi, was called off due to heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch. Following a mutual agreement between the tournament organisers and both clubs, the match was abandoned, and the two teams were declared joint winners of the pre-season tournament.
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