MBABANE — MTN Premier League pacesetters Young Buffaloes now have two horses in the race for the Player of the Season crown.
This follows the crowning of another ‘Amathole Ezinyathi’ star, as MTN Premier League Player of the Month (POTM) for January yesterday. At a ceremony held at the MTN Eswatini Headquarters in Ezulwini, wing-wizard Mazwi ‘Zwide’ Sihlongonyane was presented with a E7 000 replica cheque and a trophy by MTN Marketing Manager Phumla Motsa and Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chief Executive Officer Pat Vilakati.
By claiming the monthly gong, Sihlongonyane has entered the race for the E15 000 Player of the Season prize. The race for the grand prize has notably narrowed as the third contender in Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini has been sidelined following his move from Nsingizini Hotspurs to Zimbabwe’s Hard Rock FC.
Reflecting on his rise to the top, Sihlongonyane noted that patience was key. He said he started the campaign on the bench for about five games. However, he grabbed his chance with both hands when he finally broke into the starting line-up in December. He hit a purple patch in January, netting three goals; including a brace against Manzini Wanderers and a strike against Ubombo Sugar; to ensure Dominic Kunene’s charges remained unbeaten throughout the month.
The former Moneni Pirates man remained modest about the title charge, stating that the squad’s primary focus is to keep grinding out results until the final whistle of the season.
In the race for the January award, Sihlongonyane edged security forces rival Junior Magagula of Royal Leopard. Despite Magagula’s five-goal haul; which included a hat-trick and a brace; it was Mazwi’s overall influence that swayed the judges. Meanwhile, Mbabane Swallows’ midfield maestro Mancoba ‘Nciba’ Vilakati finished third, bolstered by his strike in the Mbabane derby and an influential display in the 1-0 win over Nsingizini.
Young Buffaloes’ Mazwi Sihlongonyane has been named the MTN Premier League Player of the Month for January. (Pic: Nimrod Hlophe)