MBABANE – Eswatini’s latest football exports, Thubelihle Mavuso and Yekisizwe Khumalo, face a frustrating delay in making their debuts for Zimbabwean title-chasers Hardrock FC.
Yesterday marked exactly a month since Nsingizini Hotspurs announced the high-profile sale of the midfield duo. With the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League (PSL) following a calendar-year schedule, the current campaign remains in full swing.
The league’s mid-season transfer window officially opened on July 1, 2026, which was expected to pave the way for the pair’s eagerly-awaited bow. However, neither player was included in the matchday squad that faced CAPS United yesterday.
In contrast, Hardrock’s high-profile new signing, Zimbabwe international Prince Dube, was thrust straight into the action. The 28-year-old forward was unveiled at Chahwanda Stadium past Thursday, which was just a week after clinching the Tanzanian league title with Simba SC. He started yesterday’s clash from the bench.
While reasons for the Eswatini duo’s absence remain unconfirmed, sources suggest that standard work permit delays are the primary obstacle.
Registering a foreign player in the Zimbabwe PSL requires both the club and the player to clear stringent administrative hurdles. Before stepping onto the pitch for a competitive fixture, foreign players must secure formal employment clearance from immigration authorities.
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Former Nsingizini Hotspurs star Yekisizwe Khumalo. (R) Thubelihle Mavuso is also yet to feature for Hardrock.