By Lwazi Dlamini
Ambitious Shiselweni-based outfit Nsingizini Hotspurs have officially filed a request with the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) to participate in the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup.
This was revealed by the club’s President Derrick Shiba during the End-of-Season awards held on Sunday at RDA Hall in Hluthi on Sunday.
The CAF Confederation Cup slot has been made available after Green Mamba officially withdrew its participation citing financial constraints while Mbabane Swallows will be participating in the CAF Champions League.
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Another side which had shown interest in the open slot is Capital City giants Mbabane Highlanders.
“We are interested in the CAF Confederation Cup, and we have expressed our interests formally. We should be getting confirmation within a week on the CAF Confederation Cup issue. This means we will then need to invest not only on the technical bench but players as well,” Shiba said.
He then warned the players to desist from participating in Stokvel tournaments during the off-season as they have bigger ambitions and dreams as a club.
“I am saying go and rest and I mean that. Don’t even try Stokvel tournaments because you are at a different stage now. We have big dreams, and we are winners. If we get the CAF Confederation Cup slot, we will need to cut our off-season and start preparations early,” Shiba said.
Giving a summary of the season, Shiba said the club had outdone itself.
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“We must thank the Marketing team for pushing the club’s brand and we were able to open seven branches but that is operational. We needed to get things right on the field. I must thank the Board of Directors for your hard work. This is a different Board, there is too much knowledge in that Board,” he added.
The second End-Of-The-Season awards was a well-attended event which had Lavumisa Chief Prince Gasa waNgwane, Minister of Tinkhundla and Administration, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Members of Parliament, Premier League of Eswatini Football Manager, Pat Vilakati, former South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs winger Abel ‘Chaklas’ Shongwe as guests.