Mapeza warns Scottland FC of difficult Nsingizini tie

Scottland FC coach Norman Mapeza has warned that Nsingizini Hotspurs will provide a significant challenge in the upcoming CAF Champions League first preliminary round. The Zimbabwean champions were drawn against the Eswatini champions during a draw conducted by Olivier Karekezi in Cairo on Thursday.

The first leg of the tie will take place at Mabviravira during the weekend of September 4-6. The return leg is scheduled for the following weekend, between September 11 and 13, in Eswatini. If Scottland FC advance, they will meet the winner of the tie between Angola's Petro Atletico or Mozambique's UD Songo in the second preliminary round in October.

Mapeza noted that Nsingizini Hotspurs have demonstrated their ability in continental competition by eliminating Simba Bhora on penalties last season after a 1-1 aggregate score. He also referenced a 2-0 pre-season friendly victory for the Eswatini side in February, though he explained that the result occurred only two weeks into Scottland's preparations.

The coach highlighted the quality of the Eswatini champions, pointing to the recent movement of players from Nsingizini to the Zimbabwean league. Players such as Newman Philiso, Kwakhe Twala, and the quartet of Thubelihle Mavuso, Sizwe Khumalo, Neliswa Dhlamini, and Sambulo Simelane have all moved to clubs including Agama, Scottland FC, and Hardrock.

Mapeza believes the standard of football in Eswatini is evolving. Despite the difficulty of the draw, Scottland FC remains a prominent regional club. The team must navigate two preliminary rounds to reach the group stage, where the winner of the tournament stands to earn $6 million, while even early elimination guarantees $100,000.