Shiselweni – Nsingizini Hotspurs Football Club has entered 2026 reflecting on a season that reshaped the club’s fortunes and lifted Shiselweni football onto the national and continental stage.
The reflections were contained in a New Year message issued by club president Derrick Shiba on December 31 2025, as the club closed what it described as a transformation year. The message was released on behalf of the board, management, technical team, staff and players, while acknowledging sponsors, stakeholders and the club’s supporters known as Player Number 12.
“We made history together,” said Shiba, thanking those who supported the Nsingizini based side throughout a demanding campaign.
Hotspurs began the 2025 season under pressure during a difficult league run that went down to the final match. Despite the challenges, the club went on to lift the MTN Premier League trophy for the first time, becoming the first team from Shiselweni to claim the top flight title in Eswatini.
The success extended to cup competition as Hotspurs also won the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup. The final was contested without 10 regular players, some on national duty with Sihlangu Semnikati and others sidelined through injury. The victory pointed to the depth and competitiveness within the squad.
On the continental front, Umgugudla WeLive returned to CAF competitions for a second consecutive year and made its first appearance in the CAF Champions League. The campaign followed the club’s debut in the CAF Confederation Cup and marked progress on the African stage.
At the halfway stage of the current season, the club has maintained its objective of defending the league title as part of its drive to reach the CAF Champions League group stages. Shiba credited the technical team and players for continuing to deliver domestic silverware.
Beyond the pitch, Hotspurs launched a monthly television programme on SuperSport International, becoming the first football club from Eswatini to introduce a dedicated show on the continental broadcaster. The initiative was positioned as a strategic move to grow visibility, attract corporate partners and strengthen financial sustainability beyond matchday revenue.
The initiative aligns with remarks previously made by His Majesty King Mswati III during a PLE TV Show launch interview in October 2022, where the role of television in attracting investment into football was discussed.
Regionally, Hotspurs also represented Eswatini at the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup in KwaZulu Natal under the Zululand Municipality for the second consecutive year. The club became the first team from outside South Africa to be crowned joint champions, sharing the title with AmaZulu Football Club after a penalty shoot out win over Richards Bay FC.
Supporter engagement grew during the year, with increased match attendance and green and white colours filling stadium stands. The club also announced the formation of new supporter branches in Eswatini and South Africa, with further expansion expected in 2026.
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