Football

MBABANE - A social media post has sparked intense speculation that Hardrock FC are on the verge of pulling off a sensational double swoop for Nsingizini Hotspurs duo Yeki ‘Madumane’ Khumalo and Thubelihle Mavuso.

The club sent the local football scene into overdrive after uploading a teaser graphic on their official Facebook page depicting an incoming phone call from Eswatini. The mysterious post has raised eyebrows across the football fraternity, particularly because both players are currently reported to be out of the country in Zimbabwe.

This publication reported yesterday that the two stars from the 2025/26 MTN Premier League champions left the country via King Mswati III International Airport en route to Zimbabwe on Tuesday afternoon.

A well-placed source stated that the pair are close to securing contracts in the fast-improving Zimbabwean Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, following in the footsteps of their former teammates Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini and Sambulo ‘Masoso’ Simelane. While Dlamini and Simelane recently signed for top-flight newcomers Hardrock, Thwala joined defending champions Scottland.

According to the source, Khumalo and Mavuso are now set to reunite with Simelane and Dlamini at Hardrock.

When contacted for comment, Nsingizini Hotspurs Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sibusiso ‘Mnotfo’ Dlamini claimed to be in the dark regarding the developments.

“I don’t know anything about that,” he said briefly.

On the other hand, the Shiselweni-based side’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Banele Ngobe, declined to comment on the matter.

“I can’t comment at this stage; perhaps Hardrock would be in a better position to confirm,” Ngobe said.

Hardrock Media Manager Bruce Chikuni had initially promised to clarify the reports yesterday. However, he was unreachable when this report was compiled, having not responded to a WhatsApp call placed at around 4:45pm.

Should the two players eventually make the switch to Zimbabwe, they will bring the number of local players in the Castle Premiership to six, as another Liswati player, former Mbabane Swallows Captain Philiso ‘Strong’ Newman is currently on the books of struggling rookies Agama FC.

A social media post has sparked intense speculation that Hardrock FC are on the verge of pulling off a sensational double swoop for Nsingizini Hotspurs duo Yeki ‘Madumane’ Khumalo and Thubelihle Mavuso.