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‘BARABA’ WINS BIG AT NSINGIZINI AWARDS

22/05/2023 08:17:00 Machawe Fakudze

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NSINGIZINI – National team Sihlangu goalkeeper Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini was the biggest winner during Premier League side Nsingizini Hotspurs’ awards.

The ceremony was held at Nsingizini RDA Hall two days ago. The MTN Premier League rookies awarded their outstanding players for the recently-ended 2022/23 season. Also recognised was the ladies team in the absence of President Derrick Shiba. The president, in an audio, which was played through the speakers, revealed that he was out of the country on a work-related assignment. He said he was with the team in spirit and if he was not held up, he would have been with them on their big day. Insingizi Yezulu finished the season in position six, with 35 points from 25 matches in their maiden season in top flight football. They were two places short of their target. This was according to Chairman Mthokozisi Ngobe, who disclosed that one of the team’s goals was to finish the first round on position six, but they punched above their weight as they ended up on the fourth spot.

“When the season begun, we sat down and put in place our objectives; we wanted to finish the league on the fourth spot and winning at least one trophy and we did that,” Ngobe said. He said as management of the team they were happy with the players’ performance as they delivered one of the trophies which was up for grabs. “It is Nsingizini and Green Mamba who have trophies in the elite league of Eswatini; for that we are proud of the boys and here we are today to celebrate them,” he said. He also congratulated the ladies team for their achievement too in the Eswatini Women Football League (EWFL), as they finished fourth. Most of the players are still pupils. He then with the help of the Programme Director of the day in Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) Presenter, Donatus ‘Nkonontja’ Zwane, announced the outstanding players for the past season.

awards

It was goalkeeper Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini, who walked away with two awards. He scooped the Player of the Season award, winning himself a trophy, E2 000 in cash prize as well as a weekend for two at Wendy’s Lodge. He won the award ahead of other nominees in Pius Baffour and enterprising attacking midfielder Thubelihle Mavuso. The duo was awarded with the Defender and Midfielder of the Season, respectively. Dlamini was also named as the best goalkeeper of the season, beating Machawe ‘Mbhodze’ Dlamini and Siyabonga Shiba for the Golden Gloves Award. The Sihlangu goal custodian thanked God, his coaches and teammates as well as his family for the support they gave him in his football career.

Meanwhile, Nomfundo Bhembe was decorated as the most outstanding player in the 2022/23 EWFL season and went home with a trophy and E1 500 cash prize. On the other hand, Thulani ‘Gogo’ Shiba, on behalf of the president, thanked their sponsor Siphambanweni Milling, MC of the team, Eswatini Football Association (EFA), Shiselweni Regional Football Association (SRFA), supporters and the Nsingizini community for the support they gave the team in their first season in top flight football. He also congratulated the players for their achievements.