MTNFootball

Since MTN began sponsoring the Swaziland premier league in the 2001/02 season, the standard of football has been on the rise, attracting a number of foreign players from as far as Ghana. 

MTNFootball.com takes a look at the top 20 players who are currently setting the standard for Swaziland football.

1. TONY TSABEDZE (MBABANE SWALLOWS)

Nickname: TT or Manyovu
Caps: 20
Position: Left wing
Former teams: Mhlambanyatsi Rovers, SuperSport United (South Africa), Silver Stars (South Africa), Santos (South Africa)

The flying winger made a sensational debut for Mhlambanyatsi Rovers at the age of 16 in the Trade Fair Cup and has seen his blistering form take him South Africa.

In the PSL, Tsabedze turned out for SuperSport United, was then off-loaded to Silver Stars, before making his way to Cape Town side Santos where he was eventually deemed surplus to requirements. 

He returned home in May and is now enjoying a new lease of life at the Birds’ nest.

2. PRIDE ZENDERA (MONENI PIRATES)

Nickname: The Cat
Caps: None
Position: Goalkeeper
Former team: Dynamos FC (Zimbabwe)

The Zimbabwean-born MTN Player of the Month for February has been in outstanding form for the Moneni Buccaneers as their last line of defence, making some breath-taking saves.

He also has scored a wonderful goal from his own half, beating Young Buffaloes goalkeeper Sibusiso Mabuza, in Bucs’ 2-0 defeat of the army side. He is an inspirational captain for the Moneni Buccaneers, leading from the front with aplomb.

3. SABELO NDZINISA (MBABANE SWALLOWS)

Nickname: Sikhali
Caps: None
Position: Central striker
Former team: Izigi FC (Shiselweni Super league side)

The former Izigi striker has had an outstanding maiden season in the premier league, scoring 13 goals for childhood club Mbabane Swallows, who he joined in September. 

He has scored eight goals in the MTN League, including five in the last four games. His off-the-ball runs and eye for goal has had the Swallows faithful singing his praises each time he steps onto the field.

4. MFANAFUTHI BHEMBE (MBABANE SWALLOWS)

Nickname: Taribo
Caps: 8
Position: Central striker
Former teams: Thembelihle FC (Hhohho regional side), University of Pretoria (South Africa), Alabama University (United States of America), Jomo Cosmos (South Africa)

The dreadlocked former University of Pretoria student’s meteoric football rise has been like a fairytale. 

He is currently the MTN League’s leading scorer with 11 goals under his belt and was joint top scorer with Malanti Chiefs striker Nhlanhla ‘Mshengu’ Kunene in the FixedFone Cup. He led Swallows to the league championship in the 2007/08 season.

5. SABELO GAMEDZE (MBABANE HIGHLANDERS)

Nickname: Sour
Caps: 3
Position: Central midfielder
Former team: Madlenya FC (Lubombo Super league)

Gamedze made his name as a utility player for the National Under-20 squad who could play any position besides goalkeeper. 

He signed for Highlanders two seasons ago and quickly got the attention of the senior national team where he has already won three caps. 

He has been unlucky with injuries, which saw him miss the 2-0 loss to Ghana in Accra.

6. SANDILE GININDZA (MANZINI WANDERERS)

Nickname: Nkomishi
Caps: 10
Position: Goalkeeper
Former teams: Hellenic FC

He is Swaziland’s number one goalkeeper without a shadow of doubt, a shot stopper with the ability to command his area very well. 

Unfortunately, the Manzini Wanderers goalkeeper’s biggest let down is ill-discipline. He picks up unnecessary cards by remonstrating with referees and opposition players. 

7. BARRY STEENKAMP (ROYAL LEOPARD)

Nickname: None
Caps: 2
Position: Central striker
Former teams: Hub Sundowns and Manzini Sundowns

The lanky former Hub Sundowns and Manzini Sundowns striker ditched basketball for soccer and he now scores goals for fun. 

His aerial presence keeps opposition defenders on their toes and has been a good acquisition for the police side where he has added to their attacking impetus.

8. SIDUMO SHONGWE (MANZINI WANDERERS)

Nickname: S’gudy S’nice
Caps: 4
Position: Central striker
Former team: RSSC United

The former RSSC FC striker has proven to be the side’s talisman with his insatiable appetite for goals. 

Before sustaining the ankle injury that has kept him out of action for three games, he had already notched up six goals in the MTN League. 

He runs defenders ragged with his off-the-ball runs and quick turns, yet he is also as strong as an ox. 

He is sorely missed in the Wanderers set up and it is not surprising the ‘Weslians’ are not only losing ground on the league title chase, but have also bombed out of the lucrative SwaziBank Cup.

9. LEONARD BONGSO (MANZINI SUNDOWNS)

Nickname: None
Caps: None
Position: Midfielder
Former team: Malanti Chiefs

The crafty former Malanti Chiefs midfielder has been a revelation at Sundowns with one wonderful performance after another. He even won the MTN Player of the Month for September and is no doubt in line for the Player of the year as Sundowns gun for the coveted title. 

The Congolese midfielder packs a powerful shot yet he is also a wonderful team player who works his socks off. A wonderful passer of the ball who also scores crucial goals.

10. NJABULO NDLOVU (MBABANE SWALLOWS)

Nickname: D4D
Caps: None
Position: Central midfielder
Former teams: RSSC United

The youthful orthodox midfielder has already represented the country in the National Under-20 squad thanks to his outstanding performances in the heart of Swallows’ midfield. 

Blessed with one of the sweetest left feet in the local football set up, Njabulo’s future in the game is bright if he keeps his feet firmly on the ground.

11. FELIX BADENHORST (MANZINI WANDERERS)

Nickname: None
Caps: 7
Position: Midfielder

Former teams: Mahashulane FC (Siphofaneni league), Jomo Cosmos (South Africa)

He burst onto the scene as a talented youngster who was able to take on more experienced midfielders with consummate ease and wormed his way into the hearts of the Wanderers faithful with some scintillating displays. 

It came as no surprise when he also caught the eye of renowned talent spotter Jomo Sono, who signed him from the ‘Weslians’ for E100 000. 

He struggled to command a place at ‘Ezenkosi’ and has been loaned back to the ‘Weslians’ for the remainder of the season.

12. VUYANI MAZIBUKO (MBABANE HIGHLANDERS)

Nickname: Mascherano
Caps: None
Position: Midfielder
Former teams: Moneni City Stars

Nicknamed after the former Liverpool and present Barcelona tough-tackling midfielder, the shy Highlanders assistant captain truly deserves the accolade because he is surely a gifted player whose passes are perfect in every dimension. He has the uncanny ability to read the game and then, with moment of brilliance, turn it on its head.

13. VUSI MADINANE (MALANTI CHIEFS)

Nickname: None
Caps: None
Position: Midfielder

The South African midfielder is one of the most gifted foreign exports to grace local soccer fields. 

He tried his luck at the start of the season at SA PSL side Platinum Stars but could not sign. 

However, that has not affected him one bit as he continues to dish out brilliant performances for Malanti Chiefs and it came as no surprise when he won the Player of the Series in the inaugural FixedFone Cup in January, taking home a trophy plus E10 000 cheque.

14. WELILE MASEKO (GREEN MAMBA)

Nickname: None
Caps: 6
Position: Winger
Former teams: Mbabane Dribbling Wizards juniors, Mbabane Swallows

The reigning MTN Player of the Year has re-discovered the form which left the PLS Awards Committee with no option but to hand him the title of being the league’s best player. 

His eye for goal, blistering pace and quick turns make him a handful for any defender. It’s only a pity he has not been able to take his club form to the national team set up.

15. NDODA MTHETHWA (YOUNG BUFFALOES)

Nickname: Stomach
Caps: 5
Position: Central striker
Former teams: Ludzeludze Killers (Manzini Super league), Manzini Wanderers

He smashed the local transfer record three seasons ago, when sold by Manzini Wanderers to the army side for the then record of E120 000 (now the record is held by Lwazi Maziya, who was sold by Rovers to Wanderers for E135 000 last season). 

He is a talented striker with amazing strength, full of speed and has the ability to shoot with both feet. He is now back to his brilliant best after being on the sidelines for more than two months due to a career-threatening knee injury.

16. SIHAWU DLAMINI (ROYAL LEOPARD)

Nickname: None
Caps: 10
Position: Defender
Former teams: Manzini Sea Birds (First division)

He shot to fame in 2008 when he marked feared Togolese and Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor in Sihlangu’s memorable 2-1 victory over the Hawks of Togo at home in a 2010 World Cup qualifier. 

Tough-tackling and armed with an incredible ability to read the game which far outweighs his lack of pace, Sihawu has re-discovered the same form in the new season and even took home the Player of the Month award for January.

17. SICELO MAZIBUKO (HELLENIC FC)

Nickname:  Wire
Caps: None
Position: Midfielder
Former teams: Midas Mbabane City, Green Mamba

A rose amongst thorns at the relegation-threatened Mangwaneni Township based outfit, ‘Wire’ has been in devastating form.

At Hellenic, he has been pushing his teammates to put more effort in, but for all his talent he cannot win a game on his own.

18. SIYABONGA MDLULI (GREEN MAMBA)

Nickname: Msholozi
Caps: 5
Position: Central defender
Former team: Manzini Sea Birds (First division)

The national team captain is the Rock of Gibraltar for both club and country. He plays each and every game as his life depends on it. 

Very committed, determined and inspirational, even the great King Shaka would have put him first in the firing line!

19. BANELE SIKHONDZE (MBABANE SWALLOWS)

Nickname: Pupu
Caps: None
Position: Winger
Former team: Ubombo Flyers

Wonderfully talented, the 18-year-old dominated newspaper pages when he pushed for a move to Manzini Wanderers from Mbabane Swallows. 

He was out in the cold for four months as a result and sensationally returned to Swallows where he has had cameo appearances. A crowd pleaser who can do amazing things on the ball, the wing wizard is a joy to watch.

20. SIBUSISO DLAMINI (MALANTI CHIEFS)

Nickname: Spoko
Caps: 35
Position: Attacking midfielder

Former teams: Royal Dynamos (Hhohho Super league), Royal Leopard, Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Black Leopards (South Africa), Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa), Moroka Swallows (South Africa), Mpumalanga Black Aces (South Africa)

He got his first cap for the national team Sihlangu against Ghana’s Black Stars in 1998 and has gone on to represent his country more than 30 times. 

He made his name at Black Leopards and was quickly snapped by glamour side Kaizer Chiefs where he was even likened to the best local Swazi export, Absalom ‘Scara’ Thindwa before ill-discipline caused a rift with coach Ted Dumitru, and he was subsequently shown the exit door. 

It was the beginning of the end of a very promising international career. His journey ended back in Swaziland for Royal Leopard and he failed to live up to his big name reputation and moved to Malanti Chiefs where his experience is showing with some brilliant goals.

By Lwazi Dlamini