BEST XI OF 2019/2020 SEASON

Sports Editor

We love it. We would like to see it back. We are hopelessly sick of the boredom.
We miss the vibe, the carnival atmosphere brought by ear-piercing sound of the Vuvuzelas (though they sound like an elephant in distress), the scintillating skills, the glut of goals, the near-misses and even the horrendous refereeing.

We miss it all. But this is a life-and-death situation, with this deadly novel coronavirus pandemic. Don’t be misled by Donald Duck … er Donald Trump.
As my favourite soccer writer, Martin Samuel of London’s Daily Mail rightly put it, Trump has financial investment in private golf courses and we now know – if proof were ever required – that his every word and action is entirely motivated by self-interest.

But before the coronavirus hit our football for a six, some players raised their hands with scintillating performances for their various teams.
Some even won individual awards like ‘Player of the Month’ and Best player for the opening half of the marathon that is the MTN league. Sports Editor, LWAZI DLAMINI, in his series of articles, picks the Best XI of the 2019/2020 season.

1. Sandanezwe Mathabela
(Mbabane Swallows)

Statistics are like a bikini; what they reveal is suggestive but what they conceal is vital. The fact Mbabane Swallows has conceded the least goals in the league this season – only seven goals in 18 games - is largely thanks to the agility and shot-stopping heroics of their goalkeeper, Sandanezwe Mathabela. Not only has he claimed the number one spot in the national team but he was also crowned ‘Player of the Month’ for November, which is a rare feat for goalkeepers. He has been in outstanding form.

2. Lindo Mkhonta
(Young Buffaloes)

The lanky Young Buffaloes defender has been a revelation for both club and country on the right full back. He is lion-hearted and never shy of getting stuck in yet he has also added overlapping forays to the element of his game, which gives ‘Amathol’ Ezinyathi’ a lot of attacking options on the right wing. He was also a recipient of the Player of the Month award this season.

3. Sikhumbuzo Magagula
(Royal Leopard)

One of the most yet under-rated defenders in the country. The Royal Leopard left full back has improved with each passing game because of his ability to defend and attack with the same zeal. One of the players to watch when the season resumes, whenever that it is.

4. Kingu Pemba
(Mbabane Swallows)

Denver Sundowns’ loss was Mbabane Swallows gain. The dreadlocked defender has formed the ‘Twin Towers’ in Swallows’ rearguard with the experienced Sifiso Mabila. It is not surprising the Swallows of Mbabane has conceded the least goals in the league – seven goals in 18 games – because Pemba’s timely tackles and excellent reading of the game far outweighs his fatal lack of pace. He reminds the Swallows faithful of the club’s legendary duo of Brian ‘British’ Sibandze or Wandile ‘Wawa’ Mazibuko.

5. Menzi Simelane
(Moneni Pirates)

Moneni Pirates’ longest serving player and captain, ‘Magawugawu’ has been a mainstay in the club’s rear-guard this season. Popping in with a goal or two, his experience is invaluable and he leads by example. Here is a player who has spent over a decade now wearing the black, white with a touch of red colours of the Moneni Buccaneers with aplomb. He has the club’s crossbones and skull tattooed to his heart.

6. Mxolisi Mkhontfo
(Green Mamba)

Strong contender for the Ingwenyama Cup Player of the tournament, Mxolisi Mkhontfo has been outstanding for the ‘Correctional Services’ side this season. He has made the centre-circle his oyster, giving Caleb Ngwenya’s charges the biting feel in the belly of the park where, the ancient football analysts long concluded, is where games are won or lost.

7. Njabulo Shongwe
(Moneni Pirates)

The National Under-20 star gets the mood buzzing among the honey-throated in the Moneni Buccaneers grandstand whenever he has the pigskin glued on nimble feet because he has a bagful of tricks and searing pace. He has been a revelation this season, for both club and country having been one of the best performers in the COSAFA Under-20 tournament in Lusaka, Zambia.

8. Njabulo Tfwala
 (Green Mamba)

Whosoever coined the phrase, ‘dynamites come in small packages’, must have had this former Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows diminutive midfielder in mind. His first touch is delicate, his passes are perfect in every dimension and he has unsappable energy.

  9. Sandile Gamedze
(Young Buffaloes)

What is there to say that has not been said about this talented midfielder? Reigning Player of the season, he has already won the best player award for the first round of the league, Who can forget his four-goal haul in the army side’s 5-0 massacre of listless Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows? The country’s best footballer at the moment by a mile!

10. Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze
(Mbabane Highlanders)

Had Highlanders won the Ingwenyama Cup final on March 8, he would have been a run-away winner of the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award. He has been instrumental in Highlanders’ attacking forays this season and his overall contribution is invaluable.

11. Tony ‘Tt’ Tsabedze
(Mbabane Swallows)

From the opening match of the season, on the memorable Sunday of August 18, 2019 when he masterminded the 4-0 demolition of Manzini Wanderers during the MTN league grand opening ceremony, the ‘Birds’ most decorated skipper has been a revelation. ‘TT’ continues to lead from the front for Swallows with assists and beautiful goals. Like good red wine in cask, he continues to mature with time.

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