(At Sigwaca House)
MBABANE – Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies’ star player, Siphelele Mpanza, has capped off a remarkable campaign by scooping the coveted Player of the Season Award at the Eswatini Women Football League (EWFL) end-of-season presentation.
The glitzy event, held at Sigwaca House, was attended by top football dignitaries including Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane, CEO Frederick Mngomezulu and prominent businesswoman Sylvia Mthethwa, who represented Wanderville.
Also in attendance were Hhohho Regional Football Association (HRFA) Chairman Dr Comfort Shongwe, Shiselweni Regional Football Association (SRFA) Chairman Nkosinathi ‘Zoro’ Kunene and Eswatini Women Football Association (EWFA) Chairman Bonginkosi Mhlanga.
Mpanza’s stellar individual performances played a critical role in guiding the Shiselweni-based side to the league title. For her efforts, she walked away with a cool E3 000 cash prize, while the newly crowned champions pocketed E28 000, alongside the league trophy and gold medals. As league champions, Nsingizini Hotspurs will now represent Eswatini in the 2026 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Women’s Champions League qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Botswana this August.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, EWFA Chairman Bonginkosi Mhlanga expressed deep gratitude to the EFA for its leadership. He thanked the parent association for its unwavering support, guidance and commitment to inclusivity, which he noted has given women’s football the platform it truly deserves. He lauded the executive for believing that the future of football is female and for backing that belief with both vision and resources.
Mhlanga also extended his thanks to the league’s sponsors, the EFA and Wanderville, noting that while talent is nothing without opportunity, opportunity costs money. He emphasised that the sponsors are not just funding a tournament, but are actively investing in the dreams of young women, adding that their financial and logistical lifelines have vastly elevated the standard of the competition.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
EWFL Player of the Season Siphelele Mpanza (C) receiving her trophy from EFA CEO Frederick Mngomezulu (R) and EWFA Chairman Bonginkhosi Mhlanga. (Pic: Nimrod Hlophe)