Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE current season has seen growing football ties between Zimbabwe and Eswatini, with Zimbabwe emerging as a preferred destination for some of Eswatini’s top players, particularly those from champions Nsingizini Hotspurs.
Newman Philiso (AGAMA), Kwakhe Twala (Scottland), and the Hardrock quartet of Thubelihle Mavuso, Sizwe Khumalo, Neliswa “Tiger” Dhlamini, and Sambulo Simelane are among the stars who have crossed into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
However, those cordial relations will be put aside when the 2026/27 CAF Champions League gets underway next month.
Zimbabwean champions Scottland have been drawn against Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs in the first preliminary round, with the first leg scheduled for the weekend of September 4-6.
Mabviravira will host “Insingizi Yezulu’’ before travelling for the return leg during the weekend of September 11-13.
Should Scottland overcome the Eswatini champions, they will face either Mozambique’s UD Songo or Angola’s Petro Atletico in the second preliminary round, which begins in October.
The draw was conducted by former Rwanda captain Olivier Karekezi at CAF headquarters in Cairo Yesterday afternoon.
Although Scottland avoided a potential meeting with reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the second preliminary round, coach Norman Mapeza believes Nsingizini Hotspurs present a formidable challenge.
The two teams met in a pre-season friendly in February, with the Eswatini champions recording a 2-0 victory.
Nsingizini also have recent success against Zimbabwean opposition, having eliminated Simba Bhora in last season’s Champions League preliminary round, winning a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 aggregate draw.
“It’s not going to be easy because Nsingizini Hotspurs are a very good side.
“Remember, they knocked out Simba Bhora last season,” Mapeza told Zimpapers Sports Hub shortly after the draw.
The experienced coach is no stranger to the Champions League scene, having guided FC Platinum to the group stage in consecutive campaigns between 2018 and 2020.
As such, Mapeza understands just how demanding the preliminary rounds can be and believes Eswatini football has made significant progress.
“They have been doing well in Eswatini. You can see that their football is evolving.
“There are no smaller teams anymore in Africa,” said the former Warriors coach and captain.
Reflecting on Scottland’s pre-season defeat to Nsingizini, Mapeza said context was important.
“We played them in pre-season, and we lost, but it was more about preparations, and we were only two weeks into pre-season.
“It’s not going to be easy. For them to be champions of Eswatini shows they are doing well.
“There is quality in their ranks if you look at the calibre of players they have exported to Zimbabwe, especially to Hardrock and us at Scottland.”
Despite Mapeza’s caution, Scottland command enormous respect across the borders.
Thanks to the club’s strong financial backing from gold magnate Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya and their pulling power, sections of the Eswatini media have dubbed Scottland the “Mamelodi Sundowns of Zimbabwe.”
An Eswatini journalist told Zimpapers Sports Hub that Scottland’s growing profile has made them one of the most talked-about clubs in the region.
“Yes, a lot of football fans here now know a lot about Scottland and Zimbabwean football because a number of Eswatini players are now playing there in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
“That’s why they feel this is a tricky draw,” he said.
Scottland must negotiate two preliminary rounds to secure a place in the lucrative group stage.
Regardless of the outcome, the Zimbabwean champions are guaranteed a US$100,000 cheque, even if they are eliminated in the first preliminary round.
The winners of the Champions League will receive US$6 million in prize money.
Scottland who are also seeking to defend their domestic championship title, are hoping to become a regular feature among the continent’s big boys who compete in the Champions League.
