Local derby highlights SAIMSA Games semis

MBABANE — Eswatini’s bustling towns Nhlangano Town Council and Matsapha Town Board will clash in a compelling semi-final at the SAIMSA Games 2026.

In the football tournament, both sides must now eliminate one another after securing dramatic berths in the last four of the ongoing games.

Matsapha advanced earlier on Thursday after defeating the Municipal Council of Manzini in a sudden-death penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw in regulation time at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground in Mbabane.

Manzini Wanderers goalkeeper Simiso Mabuza emerged as the hero for Matsapha, who finished as runners-up at the Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) Games in Lesotho last year. After both teams converted their opening five spot-kicks, Mabuza turned defender of the moment, denying Manzini’s Nhlanhla Tsela with the sixth penalty to secure victory. Manzini’s lineup had featured veteran Wanderers defender Sihle ‘Mbhalaza’ Mkhonta.

Meanwhile, Nhlangano also needed penalties to overcome Ngwenya Town Board, setting up an intriguing clash later today at the Somhlolo National Stadium.

Nhlangano enter the fixture as current champions of the Eswatini Inter-Municipal Games Association (ESIGA) Games 2026, having narrowly beaten Matsapha 1–0 in that final. They also reached the semi-finals of the 2025 SAIMSA Games before being ousted by eventual champions Maseru.

In the other half of the draw, Namibia’s Municipality of Walvis Bay take on the City of Windhoek in the quarter-finals. The winner will progress to face either Pigg’s Peak Town Council or South Africa’s Buffalo City Metropolitan, whose last-eight fixture was still under way at the time of publication.

The 20th edition of the regional tournament draws to a close tomorrow, Friday September 25, with the finals and closing award ceremonies.

Matsapha Town Board players celebrate after defeating Manzini in the SAIMSA Games 2026 quarter-finals. (Pic:Nimrod Hlophe)

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