Schools games sharpshooter for ‘Buffs’

MBABANE – Reaching for the stars!

Njabulo Gama, the top goalscorer of the 2025 Instacash Schools Soccer Tournament, is currently under assessment at Young Buffaloes, according to a well-placed source within the club.

The promising young forward showcased his potential in an international friendly match on Saturday against South Africa’s Secunda M Stars, where he aimed to catch the eye of the technical team and secure a coveted spot in the senior squad.

The local side overcame Secunda M Stars with a 3-1 score  in their first game and 4-2 in the second fixture.

“Gama is no stranger to the Young Buffaloes setup. Having previously honed his skills with the club’s Under-19 team, he spent last season on loan at Lozitha Hotspurs in the National First Division (NFD),” revealed the source. 

The source further stated that the move provided the young striker with invaluable game time, allowing him to develop his craft and adapt to the competitive demands of senior football.

His experience in the NFD, coupled with his goalscoring heroics in the Instacash Schools Soccer Tournament, has marked him as a player to watch.

He further shared that the Secunda friendly offered Gama a golden opportunity to prove his worth.

It was also indicated that the technical team was keen to evaluate his movement, finishing and ability to link up with teammates—qualities that could see him transition from a youth prospect to a regular in the senior squad.

For Gama, the assessment represents a pivotal moment in his career, a chance to cement his place at a club renowned for nurturing talent.

The Instacash Schools Ball Games have long been a cornerstone of talent identification in Eswatini, serving as a launch-pad for young players to ascend to the country’s top-flight leagues.

The tournament’s reputation for unearthing gems is well-earned, with players like Phumulani ‘Bin’ Shongwe of Moneni Pirates, Teboho ‘Mlaba’ Dlamini of Red Rhinos and Njongo Mazibuko of Mbabane Swallows among those who have made the leap to professional football.

Gama’s standout performances in the 2025 edition have placed him firmly in this lineage of success, his clinical finishing and flair drawing comparisons to some of the tournament’s most illustrious alumni.

Meanwhile, Buffaloes has a proud history of developing home-grown talent, and the young forward’s blend of pace, instinct and composure in front of goal could add a new dimension to their attacking options.