Eswatini football giants Mbabane Highlanders AM FC have officially ushered in a new era with the high-profile appointment of former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician Floyd Mogale as their new Head Coach ahead of the highly anticipated 2026/27 season. Mogale, a seasoned South African strategist, steps in to replace outgoing South African compatriot Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala.
The blockbuster appointment was orchestrated by the club’s prominent president, South African businesswoman Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, who is entering her second season at the helm of the club affectionately known as the “Black Bull.” To bolster the technical department, the club also announced that Percy Shongwe will join the ranks as Mogale’s assistant coach and the team’s physical trainer.
In an official press statement, the club expressed immense delight in securing Mogale’s signature, citing his proven track record of tactical ingenuity and talent development. The club noted that Mogale joins the Black Bull with a distinguished coaching résumé and a proven commitment to player development, tactical excellence, and building competitive teams.
They added that his appointment marks an important milestone as the club embarks on a new chapter, with preparations for the upcoming season already underway. Mogale boasts an impressive football pedigree in South Africa, having previously managed top-tier and highly competitive sides including Black Leopards, Royal AM, Chippa United, and Free State Stars, alongside a respected stint as a scout for continental powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns.
To ensure the squad is physically primed for the grueling campaign ahead, assistant coach Percy Shongwe will bring a wealth of coaching experience and an excellent understanding of the local football landscape. The club highlighted his progressive approach, which is shaped by modern training methodologies and a global football perspective, stating that his expertise will play a vital role in ensuring the squad is fully prepared to meet the demands of the new campaign. The management extended a warm welcome to both football brains, expressing confidence that their combined leadership and shared commitment to excellence will strengthen the football project and inspire growth both on and off the pitch.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma, Mbabane Highlanders AM Public Relations Officer Thabiso “Touch” Manyatsi confirmed the news and laid out the massive expectations resting on the new coach’s shoulders. Manyatsi stated that Mogale was the standout choice from a competitive list of candidates because he possessed all the qualities the team required. He reminded fans that Mbabane Highlanders is a massive, historical club that needs to return to its traditional heights.
Manyatsi made no secret of MaMkhize’s grand ambitions, revealing that the president’s number one priority for her second season is taking the team to continental football, which requires winning one of the two major domestic trophies that grant an African playing license. He urged all Highlanders supporters to give the new coach a fair chance to settle in, acknowledging that a trophy for the fan base is firmly overdue.
Mogale will not have the luxury of a slow start, as his first assignment comes this weekend when Mbabane Highlanders AM travels to compete in the prestigious Mangosuthu Legacy Cup against local rivals Nsingizini Hotspurs. Manyatsi expressed gratitude for the invitation to partake in the tournament honoring the legacy of Prince Mangosuthu but emphasized that the team is going there with a strictly competitive mindset.
He concluded by stating that the club wants to inject a fierce winning mentality back into the players, ensuring they know they play for a winning team. With a revamped technical bench, financial backing, and a clear vision, the Black Bull are charging into the new season with their sights firmly set on silverware and African glory.
