Mandla Qhogi wins his first official title after leaving Orlando Pirates | OneFootball

Mandla Qhogi wins his first official title after leaving Orlando Pirates

After a long and patient journey through the ranks of youth development, Mandla Qhogi is finally savoring the sweet taste of silverware. The former Orlando Pirates development coach has etched his name into the history books of Eswatini giants Nsingizini Hotspurs FC by guiding them to victory in the 2025 8Bet Trade Fair Cup.

The decisive moment arrived on a tense Sunday at the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini, where a narrow 1-0 triumph over Green Mamba secured the coveted trophy. This victory represents far more than just a cup win; it is the culmination of over 15 years of dedication, marking Qhogi’s first major title as a professional head coach.

The path to this triumph began in May 2025, when Nsingizini—the reigning Eswatini Premier League champions—saw potential in the coach following his departure from Milford FC. For Qhogi, the appeal was immediate and powerful. “It was very exciting when they offered me the job,” he reflected in an exclusive conversation with FARPost. “First, the vision they described and the purpose they want to achieve in improving the level of football in Eswatini drew my interest in taking on this project.”

He saw more than just a team; he saw a rapidly growing club and a chance for personal evolution, adding, “

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Now, holding his first trophy, the emotion is one of pure excitement and a belief that this is merely the start. “You know, I’m very excited! Remember that I came from the youth structures… So, being able to win a trophy in my first season in Eswatini gives me a great opportunity to continue working for more trophies to come.” For Coach Qhogi, this isn’t an endpoint—it’s the foundation for a legacy.