Moneni Pirates end 10-year trophy wait as Selaotse Mosala targets CAF qualification

Moneni Pirates ended a decade-long wait for silverware with victory in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, and coach Selaotse Mosala is already targeting qualification for a CAF competition next season.

The Eswatini side defeated Mbabane Highlanders AM 4-2 on penalties at Mavuso Stadium on Sunday, giving Mosala the first major trophy of his coaching career in the country.

The triumph also brought an emotional quality for the South African tactician, who previously coached Mbabane Highlanders AM last season. His current team’s victory meant he overcame his former club in the final, although Mosala insisted there was no personal motivation behind the result.

Moneni Pirates had last won a trophy in 2015, making Sunday’s success the end of a 10-year drought. Mosala also praised the club’s management, players and supporters for their contribution to the achievement.

“The credit should go to players and the entire management. The team is well-run and players get paid on time and deserve all the success,” said an elated Mosala, speaking to KickOff via telephone on Tuesday.

“The fans are magnificent. They love their team. The club last won a trophy in 2025 and they deserve the happiness.

“There was nothing to prove against Mbabane Highlanders; you don’t take things personally in football. I was there last season and we move on.

Despite the conflicting year in his comments, Mosala’s wider point was clear: he believes the club and its supporters had waited long enough to celebrate success.

The coach now wants the cup victory to provide momentum ahead of the new league campaign, which is due to begin soon. His main ambition is to guide Moneni Pirates into continental competition next season.

“My focus now is [on] helping the team qualify for the CAF tournament next season. We have a good team and great support from the management. The win on Sunday was a morale booster.

“We now need to start focusing on the league which is set to start soon,” he went on.

The penalty shootout win over Mbabane Highlanders AM was the culmination of a successful cup run and gave Mosala his first major honour since taking charge at Moneni Pirates.

He said the team’s strong organisation and the support it receives from the club’s leadership had created the platform for the players to succeed. With the trophy secured, he believes the next challenge will be converting that confidence into a strong league campaign.

Mosala’s immediate objective is therefore to build on the final victory rather than dwell on his return to face his former employers. He described the result as a boost for the squad as it prepares for the start of the domestic season.

Mbabane Highlanders AM are coached by another South African, Floyd Mogale, who will now look to lead the club forward after their defeat by Moneni Pirates in the final.