{"id":31404,"date":"2025-10-01T12:29:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T10:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=31404"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:47:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:47:41","slug":"andile-mpisane-makes-comeback-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/andile-mpisane-makes-comeback-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"From DJ booth to football boots: Andile Mpisane makes comeback abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Andile Mpisane, the former Royal AM chairman, part-time player, and son of Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, is reportedly preparing for a return to professional football\u2014this time beyond South African borders. According to a report in the <em>Eswatini Daily News<\/em>, the 24-year-old has been training with Mbabane Highlanders AM as the club gears up for the new season, which is set to begin this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mpisane, known to many as a DJ and rapper as much as a footballer, has not stepped onto a competitive pitch since Royal AM\u2019s last run in December last year. His sudden reappearance has sparked renewed debate about his football ambitions and whether he is truly ready to carve out a career abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-from-royal-am-s-demise-to-a-fresh-start\">From Royal AM\u2019s Demise to a Fresh Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Royal AM\u2019s downfall earlier this year has been well documented. The club, once a rising force in the local league, was removed from the Premiership after being placed under curatorship. This came after owner Shauwn Mkhize faced a R40 million tax debt that led to the eventual collapse of the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the setback, Mkhize wasted little time making moves in Eswatini. She acquired the Mbabane Highlanders and later rebranded the team to Mbabane Highlanders AM \u2013 incorporating her son\u2019s initials into the club\u2019s name. It was initially believed that Andile would only take up an administrative role in this new project, with Mkhize even stating on radio that her son had moved past playing football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAt Royal AM he had started focusing on the management side of the game,\u201d she explained in an interview earlier this year. \u201cHe experienced what it was like to play in the top league, but I think his interest now lies more in business and leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/shauwn-mkhize-faces-legal-dispute\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shauwn Mkhize Faces Legal Dispute Over Mbabane Highlanders Ownership<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2804887935\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-question-marks-over-playing-ability\">Question Marks Over Playing Ability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While Mpisane\u2019s off-field presence is undeniable, his footballing record remains a subject of controversy. His most notable appearance came in a clash against Kaizer Chiefs last season. Starting the match, Mpisane struggled to keep up with the pace as Amakhosi quickly stormed into a 2\u20130 lead. He was substituted at half-time, and Royal AM went on to rally back for a respectable 2\u20132 draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That game proved to be a turning point. Mpisane never started another match for Royal AM and featured sparingly before the club played its final fixtures. Critics argued that his involvement was more symbolic than competitive, while supporters insisted he deserved time to develop his skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-opportunity-abroad\">New Opportunity Abroad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With <a href=\"https:\/\/iol.co.za\/sport\/soccer\/2025-09-30-andile-mpisane-earns-move-abroad-to-his-mothers-team-of-course\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mbabane Highlanders AM<\/a> preparing for their league campaign, Mpisane\u2019s return to training has raised eyebrows. The big question is whether he is truly committed to reigniting his career or whether this is another short-lived chapter under the spotlight of his mother\u2019s influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, his name alone guarantees attention. If he does feature, every appearance will be dissected by fans and pundits alike. Supporters in Eswatini are already curious to see whether he can silence his doubters and prove himself beyond the glitz of his family\u2019s wealth and business empire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/mamkhizes-fleet-of-luxury-cars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MaMkhize\u2019s Fleet of Luxury Cars and Royal AM Bus Headed for Auction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-324029830\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-all-eyes-on-the-season-kick-off\">All Eyes on the Season Kick-Off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether Andile Mpisane has secured a symbolic place in the squad or is genuinely aiming to make an impact remains to be seen. What is certain is that his story has once again placed him firmly in the headlines, both in our country and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the Eswatini league kicks off, the 24-year-old will be under the microscope. For some, this is a redemption opportunity. For others, it is yet another experiment destined to fizzle out. Either way, Mpisane\u2019s return ensures that Mbabane Highlanders AM will draw plenty of attention both on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Andile Mpisane, the former Royal AM chairman, part-time player, and son of Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, is reportedly preparing for a return to professional football\u2014this time beyond South African borders. According to a report in the Eswatini Daily News, the 24-year-old has been training with Mbabane Highlanders AM as the club gears up for the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":31406,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Andile Mpisane, the former Royal AM chairman, part-time player, and son of Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, is reportedly preparing for a return to...","footnotes":""},"categories":[1707,1706,56,64],"tags":[2836,11118,11108],"class_list":{"0":"post-31404","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-celebrity-news","8":"category-entertainment","9":"category-sports","10":"category-sports-news","11":"tag-celebrity-news","12":"tag-latest-football-news","13":"tag-latest-sports-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31404"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31404\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31417,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31404\/revisions\/31417"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}