MBABANE – Eswatini and Nsingizini Hotspurs’ versatile star Kwakhe Thwala is once again shining beyond Eswatini’s borders.
The dynamic midfielder has been officially nominated for the Zikomo Footballer of the Year 2025, one of Africa’s most prestigious honours recognising outstanding achievement in sport, entertainment and humanitarian impact.
Thwala took to his social media platforms yesterday, expressing his excitement about the nomination and urging fans both in Eswatini and abroad to cast their votes. His inclusion is well deserved: Thwala has been a mainstay in the Eswatini national team, amassing 26 caps this year and is recognised as one of the country’s most valuable players, with a Transfermarkt valuation of E1.4 million.
At club level, he has been equally impressive. Thwala helped Nsingizini Hotspurs secure the MTN Premier League title in May 2025 and featured prominently in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League, playing a pivotal role as his side defeated Zimbabwe’s Simba Bhora 6-5 on penalties. He was also part of the team that held African powerhouse Simba SC to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of the Champions League, narrowly missing out on progression after a 3-0 aggregate defeat.
This year, Thwala faces stiff competition for the award, standing alongside Jean Charles Ahou of Simba SC (Ivory Coast), Clement Mzize of Young Africans SC (Tanzania) and Feisal Salum of Azam FC (Tanzania). These nominees have similarly distinguished themselves in domestic leagues, continental competitions and through off-field contributions to their communities.
The Zikomo Africa Awards were launched to celebrate Africa’s excellence across sport, entertainment and humanitarian efforts. The Footballer of the Year category recognises players who combine outstanding performance with leadership and impact, both on and off the field. Last year’s winner was Ibrahim Adeyemi of Nigeria, who impressed with his exploits in continental and domestic competitions.
Voting for the 2025 edition is now open at www.zikomoawards.com. The winners will be announced on December 17, 2025, during a gala event in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where Africa’s finest athletes and entertainers will converge to celebrate the continent’s best.
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