Football

MBABANE – For the first time, Royal Leopard stalwart centre-back and midfielder Simanga ‘Stina’ Masangane has got an international price tag.

The player is valued at about E1 million (50 000 Euros) as per yesterday’s foreign exchange rate. He is the only Eswatini Premier League local player with a rating. This is as per transfermarkt, with the rating conducted on October 2, 2025. Masangane has scored three goals for ‘Ingwemabalabala’ in the first preliminary round of the TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup.

Meanwhile, Ghana Premier League side Asante Konoto centre-forward Albert Amoah, among others, follows with two goals.

His side, Leopard, scored the highest number of goals in this tournament, with a 7-0 aggregate over minnows Young African of Namibia. The latter joined Leopard during the 2022/23 season from then Premier League outfit Vovovo, who later sold their status to Nsingizini Hotspurs. He is part of the 20-man Sihlangu squad that have travelled to Cape Verde for their last game of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Masangane could not be drawn for comment at the time of compiling this report as he was already out of the country. He was yet to respond to a questionnaire sent on his social media platform, Whatsapp.

Leopard Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frank Hurube expressed delight at the reports. “It is truly commendable to know that he is recognised by CAF as part of their top goalscorers. He has been on form lately and we encourage him to continue working hard,” Hurube said.

He added that Masangane was a highly-valued asset to the team. “He is an asset to us and it is exciting to know the player is highly-rated. We can never think of selling him. However, should he want to leave someday, then we cannot stop him,” Hurube added.

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Royal Leopard sensational centre-back Simanga 'Stina' Masangane (R) closes in a Young African player. (Pic: Sanele Jele)