Ex-Pirates coach claims another trophy abroad

A former Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United reserve teams coach has won another major trophy abroad, just a year after his arrival.

Mandla Qhogi joined Eswatini's Nsingizini Hotspurs in May 2025 from Motsepe Foundation Championship side Milford FC.

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Since arriving at the club, Qhogi has enjoyed an impressive spell, proving his quality at top-flight level after spending many years as a development coach in South Africa.

Qhogi made his name at Pirates, where he spent several years working in the club’s development structures, most notably as head coach of the DStv Diski Challenge side, before joining Babina Noko's reserve team setup.

In his early months at Hotspurs, the 48-year-old mentor guided the Eswatini giants on a memorable run in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League campaign.

Despite falling short in the second preliminary round of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League after a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Simba SC, Hotspurs earned praise for competing strongly against more experienced continental opposition.

As he continues to showcase his coaching capabilities abroad, Qhogi has now added another trophy to his growing collection after Hotspurs defeated Green Mamba 1-0 in the final of the Ingwenyama Cup at Somhlolo Stadium on Sunday.

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It was not the coach's first piece of silverware with the club, having also guided Hotspurs to the 2025 8Bet Trade Fair Cup title in September after beating the same opponents in the final.

The South African coach continues to enhance his reputation in Eswatini, with his work at Hotspurs attracting attention following the club's domestic success and encouraging performances on the continental stage.