(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Ntfonjeni High..................2
Bongwa 44th, Phiwokuhle 77th
Nhlangano Central............1
Philani 49th
MANZINI – The Instacash ESSA Soccer Ball Games trophy has changed regions once again.
Hhohho emphatically ended the region’s drought yesterday at the Mavuso Sports Centre, edging out Nhlangano Central High School 2-1 to claim the 2026 title. Ntfonjeni were worthy winners and looked the better side from the moment referee blew the first whistle.
Their masterful performance was built around the experience of former MTN Premier League side Malanti Chiefs’ duo Vusimuzi Dlamini and Mfundo Kunene, alongside players drawn from the MulaSport National First Division (NFD) and the Hhohho Regional Football Association (HRFA) Super League sides.
Their first-half dominance was justly rewarded when Bongwa Simelane struck a minute before the interval to put Ntfonjeni ahead.
Nhlangano Central, however, broke their first-half hoodoo immediately after the restart. Philani Mngometulu levelled matters in the 49th minute, but they were unable to capitalise and find a late winner.
Ntfonjeni regained the lead in the 77th minute through Mvembili Sundowns’ Phiwokuhle Simelane. They held firm thereafter, looking vastly superior to Central until the final whistle, sparking ecstatic scenes of celebration among their travelling student fans.
Past winners of the tournament, which carried a staggering sponsorship fund of E475 000 this year, include Lubombo Region’s Sibetsaphi High School, Manzini Central High School, and Shiselweni’s Evelyn Baring High School.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
Ntfonjeni High School are the 2026 Instacash ESSA Soccer kings. They beat Nhlangano Central 2-1 in a final at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday to lift the trophy. (Pic: Nimrod Hlophe)