By Vuyiswa Mabila
MBABANE – Nsingizini Hotspurs lived up to their word on Sunday, keeping their promise of banking on home advantage to overturn their deficit as they booked a place in the next round of the CAF Champions League. The Eswatini side held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout, edging Zimbabwe’s Simba Bhora 4–2 at Somhlolo National Stadium.
The game was as tough as expected, with both teams cancelling each other out in a tense first half that ended goalless. Chances were limited, and every ball was fiercely contested as neither side wanted to give an inch.
The breakthrough finally came in the 89th minute when Nkosinphile Shongwe struck for Nsingizini, sending the home fans into raptures. His late goal brought the tie level on aggregate, forcing the contest into a nail-biting penalty shootout.
From there, the Hotspurs showed nerves of steel. While Simba Bhora faltered twice from the spot, the Eswatini outfit converted four clinical penalties to seal a famous 4–2 victory.
Head coach Mandla Qhogi hailed the result as a reward for belief and unity. “As expected, the game was tough for us especially playing infront of our home supporters and also training. So we had to did deep so that we can come alive to this game.”
For Nsingizini, the triumph was more than just progress to the next round; it was a historic statement that Eswatini football can rise to the challenge on the continental stage. The road ahead will only get tougher, but on this night at Somhlolo, the promise was kept — and history was made.
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