Nsingizini Hotspurs head coach Mandla Qhogi has expressed confidence ahead of his team's PLE Charity Cup semi-final against Moneni Pirates at Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday. Qhogi believes his side can approach the opposition with a different strategy, following their 1-0 loss to Pirates in the opening match of the 2026/27 MTN Premier League season. Senanelo Nkambule scored a stoppage-time winner for Pirates in that encounter.
Qhogi has sent a bold warning to Pirates, declaring that no team has ever managed to beat him twice. He described the draw as a good one, insisting that his team was not approaching the encounter with revenge on its mind. "It is a cup game and you play anyone given, you don’t have the luxury to choose," Qhogi said. He emphasized that his team will focus on playing their normal game.
The Nsingizini mentor will, however, have to navigate the semi-final without three players currently attending the national Under-23 team’s full-time camp. Luyanda ‘Lux’ Nhlengetfwa, Mthobisi ‘Mvala’ Zwane, and Njongo Mazibuko are part of the squad preparing for the country’s TotalEnergies CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria this month. Qhogi ruled out recalling the players from national duty.
Despite the absences, Qhogi revealed that he was satisfied with the available personnel. "We will not call back national Under-23 players and we have a clean bill of health in our squad to do well in the Charity Cup," he said. The PLE Charity Cup has attracted renewed interest following its revival after a seven-year hiatus.
Moneni Pirates head coach Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala has cautioned against reading too much into his team’s previous victory over Nsingizini. Mosala said his immediate attention was on securing a place in the final rather than relying on the result recorded earlier in the season. "Cup games are different from the league," Mosala said.
Mosala emphasized that his team will concentrate fully on the semi-final, with the idea of reaching the final. Pirates head into the competition with confidence after already securing silverware this season by winning the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup against Mbabane Highlanders AM. The Buccaneers will now be targeting another trophy.
The semi-final winners will meet in the final at 4pm, with the other last-four encounter featuring Mbabane Highlanders and Ubombo Sugar at 9am. The winners of the main competition will pocket E400 000.
Key points
- Nsingizini coach Mandla Qhogi is confident his team can beat Moneni Pirates in the PLE Charity Cup semi-final.
- Qhogi says no team has beaten him twice.
- The PLE Charity Cup semi-final match will take place at Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday.
