By Dylan Bettencourt
- Former Royal AM boss Andile Mpisane is among 10 new signings at Mbabane Highlanders AM in Eswatini.
- The club was renamed after his mother Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize became president.
Andile Mpisane, the former Royal AM chairman and part-time footballer, has made a surprise return to the game.
The 24-year-old is officially registered as a player for Mbabane Highlanders AM, a club in Eswatini now under the control of his mother, Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize.
Reports say Mpisane is one of 10 new signings at the renamed team, which carries the “AM” brand made famous by his mother.
Mpisane has only ever played for clubs owned by his family. He started out at Royal Eagles, run by both his parents, before moving to Real Kings and then Royal AM after his mother bought Bloemfontein Celtic’s Premier Soccer League status in 2021.
At just 20, he became Royal AM’s chairman and was also registered as a player, though he made only a handful of appearances.
That run ended when Royal AM was expelled from the PSL and its assets seized by Sars over tax debts.
But MaMkhize refused to leave the game. In July, she re-emerged as president of Highlanders in Eswatini and added her “AM” brand to the club’s name.
She had previously suggested that her son would not play for the new team, but Mpisane has now been listed among the squad – reportedly set to wear his trademark number 10 jersey again.
Pictured above: Andile Mpisane returns to football with Mbabane Highlanders AM.
Image source: Andile Mpisane Instagram
