Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda in MBABANE, Swaziland
A Zimbabwean professor based at the University of Eswatini, summed up the mood among the expatriates based in this country, ahead of today’s CAF Champions League match between Nsingizini Hotspurs and Zimbabwean champions Scottland.
“There’s great excitement, many WhatsApp groups are encouraging Zimbabweans based here to come and support Scottland.
“Nsingizini Hotspurs are also a very popular team here, so it will be a lot of fun,” Professor Francis Mavhunga told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
There is a community of Zimbabweans in Eswatini, made up mainly of professionals, that is excited with the arrival of Zimbabwe champions Scottland in Mbabane.
Mabvirarira are here to play Nsingizini Hotspurs in a CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg encounter at the Somhlolo Stadium this afternoon.
Kick off is 3pm.
Scottland carry a slender 1-0 lead into this second leg after edging Nsingizini Hotspurs at the National Sports Stadium in Harare last weekend.
Cameroonian striker Neville Tengeg scored the solitary goal, after he was fed by Emmanuel Jalai.
The Zimbabwe champions now need at least a draw to qualify for the second round on their CAF Champions League debut.
Mabvirarira had a decent build up to this crucial match.
They camped in Johannesburg for two days before proceeding to Mbabane and coach Norman Mapeza is convinced his charges are ready.
Mapeza is also aware it was Nsingizini Hotspurs who knocked out Scottland’s predecessors Simba Bhora in the last CAF Champions League campaign.
Simba Bhora lost 2-4 on penalties after the tie had ended 1-1 on aggregate.
“I thought with a bit of luck, they (Simba Bhora) would have won.
“Because, if I can recall, they conceded in the last minutes of the game.
“Then the game went to penalties,” said Mapeza.
The gaffer insisted that Scottland were in Mbabane to play football.
It looks like Mapeza has a solid plan in place for his opponent.
In the first leg, Mabvirarira missed a glut of chances and they know any slight mistake could prove costly at the Somhlolo Stadium this afternoon.
“Maybe with a bit of luck, we could have won 2-0 or 3-0.
“But I’m happy with what we are carrying as of now,” said Mapeza.
He paid tribute to Nsingizini for the way they contained his side last Sunday.
“So, when we are preparing for this game, it’s about collective efforts.
“It’s not about one individual, it’s different things.
“So, all those players who played in Harare, I think they did very well.
“And when we do our preparations, our fellow players do their best to play for the whole squad.”
Interestingly, Scottland came here during the preseason and lost to Nsingizini.
However, Mapeza feels that result has no bearing on today’s encounter.
Another subplot to this encounter is left back Kwakhe Thwala returning to Eswatini to face his former paymasters in Scottland colours.
“Now I’m entitled to this (Scottland) badge, so I need to focus on my job.
“All I can say is, you know, sometimes when you are playing football, there are some situations that will take you outside of your country.
“Now I’m in Zimbabwe with Scottland, so my heart now is in Zimbabwe with Scottland.
“Our president (Scott Sakupwanya) is expecting good results, and surely we will give him the result that he wants,” said Twala.
Respected Zimbabwean coach Rodwell Dhlakama spent several months coaching in Eswatini in the early 2010s and yesterday he gave an honest opinion on this tie.
Dhlakama believes football in Eswatini has been developing gradually in the last decade.
“Eswatini’s football architecture has undergone a deliberate metamorphosis, particularly post-2014 with the Premier League of Eswatini’s “Vision 2022” mandate to professionalise the top-flight,” Dhlakama told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“The foundational shift has been structural, not incidental.
“Clubs like Nsingizini Hotspurs adopted a long-term road map focused on youth development and continental ambition.
“This is not about foreign exports, but about deliberate planning, patience and strong development structures,” added Dhlakama, who won the Coach of the Year award in Eswatini in 2012.
Nsingizini Hotspurs have emerged as a force to reckon with in the Eswatini Premier League.
They have won three straight league titles and have produced several star players most of whom are now playing in the Zimbabwean top flight.
Apart from Thwala, there are a number of players from Eswatini like the duo of Neliswa Dhlamini and Sambelo Simelane who are starring for Kwekwe-based side Hardrock.
“Eswatini’s inter club footprint has historically been nascent, but is now inflecting upward.
“Mbabane Swallows remain the only Eswatini club to reach the CAF Champions League group stages, doing so in 2018.
“Royal Leopards reached the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.
“Nsingizini eliminated 2024 Zimbabwe champions Simba Bhora,” said Dhlakama.
They subsequently faced Tanzanian giants Simba SC, losing 3-0 at home but securing a 0-0 draw away in Dar es Salaam before 60 000 fans.
“The Eswatini Football Association framed this as not just the victories of two clubs, but a collective achievement that highlights the growth and potential of the domestic game.
“Key lessons drawn were that courage and organisation can allow local sides to stand their ground against elite opponents”.
The veteran gaffer, however, feels Zimbabwe still holds structural advantages, larger player pool, more established PSL infrastructure, and recent CAF group stage experience via FC Platinum under Mapeza.
But according to Dhlakama, the gap is getting narrower.
“There is now a deliberate pipeline of Eswatini talent into Zimbabwe.
“Players like Dhlamini, Simelane, Thwala and Philiso have become central figures for their respective clubs in the PSL.
“Mapeza himself notes the calibre of players they have exported to Zimbabwe, especially to Hardrock and to Scottland.
“Eswatini media now calls Scottland the “Mamelodi Sundowns of Zimbabwe” precisely because of this cross-border talent density,” added Dhlakama. He also reckons Zimbabwe still leads in depth and financial muscle.
“But Eswatini leads in recent continental giant-killing momentum and in producing export-ready, tactically drilled players.”
