Football

(At Mavuso Sports Centre)

Mbabane Highlanders......(0)0

Ezulwini United................(0)2

‘Ndoye’ 57^th, Delisa 78^th 

MANZINI – Trendsetters Highlanders AM FC players left the pitch in a walk of shame following a 2-0 defeat to Ezulwini United in a pulsating encounter yesterday. 

This was during their 2025 8Bet Trade Fair Cup opening game staged at a packed Mavuso Sports Centre. 

MTN Premier League giants Mbabane Highlanders arrived in their newly-unveiled luxurious coach for this occasion.

A Volvo branded in their new black and gold logo, which is a different model from the one used by Royal AM in South Africa. Meanwhile, their South African flamboyant boss, Shauwn ‘Mamkhize’ Mkhize, followed the bus leading a fleet of motor vehicles, including two 2018 Mercedes V-class Maybach Buses.

Among notable figures were Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo and his Tinkhundla Administration and Development counterpart Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Dvokodvweni Member of Parliament (MP) and Sports Portfolio Committee Chairman Sifiso ‘Haizo’ Shabalala and renowned South Africa  football fanatic Mama Joy, who declared she was here as a number one fan of Highlanders. 

Upon her arrival, ‘MaMkhize’ entertained Highlanders supporters as she joined them in song, emerging from the sunroof of her red Benz  in delight, carrying a cow skull written the phrase ‘MaMkhize says yes to Bull’ using a marker with the old white and black logo next to this writing.

Her players led by new Captain Siphamandla ’24 Reasons’ Maseko, were dressed in a Royal AM kit during their warm-up session, just like returning Head Coach Ernest Mavuso, who in this moment, projected his voice to issue instructions during their clash. 

Full article available in our publication.

Former Royal AM staunch supporter Mama Joy was not pleased at all with how Mbabane Highlanders AM FC played in their Last 16 encounter after arriving in style at the Mavuso Sports Centre. (Pics: Melusi Mkhabela and Nimrod Hlophe)

Bandile Zwane celebrating their first of two goals in the second half, which was scored by Delisa Thwala against Mbabane Highlanders AM FC in their last-16 encounter of the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup.

Some Highlanders fans were on the stand known as Etjeni at Mavuso, where they declared themselves fans of Mbabane Highlanders FC and celebrated the triumph of Ezulwini United.