MBABANE – He will not come cheap!
Malanti Chiefs’ highly-rated star and 2026 Instacash Schools Ball Games Player of the Tournament Mfundo ‘Luuh’ Kunene has drawn immense interest from a host of Premier League teams following his stellar performances for eventual champions Ntfonjeni High School.
A source close to the MulaSport National First Division (NFD)-bound Pigg’s Peak outfit revealed that the player is wanted by Mbabane Swallows, Ubombo Sugar, Madlenya, Rangers and Manzini Sea Birds, who have all made serious enquiries for his services.
The source went on to state that other top-tier giants, including Young Buffaloes, Green Mamba and MTN Premier League back-to-back champions Nsingizini Hotspurs, also tracked the gifted midfielder’s progress closely during the school tournament.“Kunene was invited by scouts to attend Nsingizini’s open trials, but the move was rejected by the player’s advisors. They felt he had already proven his pedigree at Premier League level and note that he has drawn huge interest from the majority of Premier League clubs,” the insider confirmed.
The source further revealed that Ubombo Sugar were the first to formally show interest but were quickly scared off by Malanti Chiefs’ E100 000 transfer fee demand.
When contacted, Malanti Chiefs Manager Mandla Maduna stated that while transfer matters are handled directly by team Director Dumisani Gumedze, the club would not stand in the player’s way if a lucrative offer emerged.
The seasoned football administrator was evasive regarding the alleged E100 000 price tag, jokingly remarking that Kunene had already distinguished himself in the top flight. He described him as ‘the expensive number 10’ of the school games.
Meanwhile, Mbabane Swallows have reportedly stepped up their chase alongside Madlenya, who have allegedly arranged to take Kunene to South Africa to finalise a deal with the team’s South African-based director.
However, logistics have been complicated by the fact that the playmaker, who celebrated his 20th birthday last week Wednesday, is tied down by academic commitments as he is currently writing his mock examinations.
Despite the heavy competition, Manzini Sea Birds have also tabled a concrete bid for the former Kappa Kappa and Pigg’s Peak Rangers player. The source noted that the Friday Myeni-led side are the overwhelming favourites to land Kunene’s coveted signature. The MTN Premier League runners-up have already snapped up another emerging talent from Ntfonjeni High School in Bongwa Simelane.
