Football

MBABANE – TotalEnergies CAF Champions League envoys Nsingizini Hotspurs are facing a potential setback, with one of their key players out still nursing an injury.

Nsingizini and Tanzanian giants Simba Sporting Club (SC) will go head-to-head on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Somhlolo National Stadium in the first leg of the second preliminary round. The kick-off is set for 3pm, according to Hotspurs, who are yet to disclose the gate entry fees.

However, ahead of this decisive fixture, the club are hoping that their versatile player Kwakhe Thwala will be given a timely medical clearance to be available for selection. The aggregate winner between them and Simba will gain a ticket to the group stages, which also carry an incentive of about E12 million.

Thwala is suffering from a groin injury, as confirmed by the team, which he picked up during a tense Champions League first preliminary round game against Simba Bhora of Zimbabwe.

On Sunday, September 28, the player was surprisingly substituted early during the second half of the game while Simba Bhora were still enjoying a 1–0 aggregate lead.

The injury has become so serious that utility player has been dropped from the squad to play the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup final qualifying match against Cape Verde on Monday.

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Nsingizini's Kwakhe Thwala is out nursing an injury. (Pic: File)