‘Y’ello’ League unsung heroes
MBABANE – Defensive midfielders are rarely celebrated in the MTN Premier League.
These midfielders are important because they do dirty work. You can call them roots. Roots are mostly invisible, not understood by many yet they give sustenance and support for all plants. Just like roots, the defensive midfielders are rarely celebrated but do the biggest spade work. They protect their defence, cut attack from opposition and start attack through winning balls and feeding them to their playmakers.
The Times Sports Desk takes you through some of the midfielders, who continue to be a cut above the rest in the ongoing entertaining season.
MXOLISI MKHONTO – GREEN MAMBA
The midfielder has been brilliant for Green Mamba in the league and he is arguably one of the best midfielders in the country at the moment. Mkhonto is often the link between defence and midfield for the Ernest Mavuso-led charges, thanks to his passing ability and defensive work, having played a key role in helping his side challenge for the league this season. Mkhonto is also effective when pushing forward, as he continues to score important goals for Green Mamba.
SIBONISO NGWENYA –YOUNG BUFFALOES
The defender-cum-midfielder continues to show consistency every season in the star-studded Mandla ‘Stofu’ Dlaminiled Young Buffaloes side that is seriously challenging for the league title. ‘Gaxa’, as he is fondly known, is the heartbeat of the Buffaloes from midfield and continues to prove to be a quality central midfielder, who dictates the tempo of Buffaloes’ matches. The hard-working player is without a single doubt one of the most quietly consistent players throughout the past year and is rarely celebrated.
KABIA MOHAMMED – MBABANE SWALLOWS
The Mbabane Swallows midfield maestro is having a successful second season in the Mbabane giants’ team full of many talented players in the Caleb Ngwenya-led outfit. Kabia’s performance so far in the season has been very good and he establishes himself as one of the top defensive midfielders in the country. The Sierra Leone-born player has caught the eye of many with his good ball retention skills and his ability to pick out the right pass under pressure.
MPENDULO TFOMO – MB. HIGHLANDERS
The Mbabane Highlanders workaholic player is one of the reasons Highlanders are among the competing teams in the league this season. He is a midfielder blessed with an excellent first touch and outstanding technical ability. Tfomo silently does his work with ease and has made players like Philani Mkhonto enjoy moving freely offensively, knowing that there is a solid rock that is covering them in the middle of the park.
KELVIN KUNENE – ROYAL LEOPARD
The youngster signed is this transfer window from Mhlambanyatsi Community, is the new exciting kid on the block for Edwin Matsebula’s struggling Royal Leopard. The youngster has shown to be skilful and dynamic in the middle of the park, relegating a player like Sifiso Matse to the bench. The player’s phenomenal performance so far in the league will definitely make coach Domic Kunene to consider calling him in the national team.
SIBONGINKOSI DLAMINI – M. WANDERERS
The stylist player with a faultless pedigree, who has played for both Mbabane giants has been a marvel for his team even when Manzini Wanderers have been struggling in the first round. ‘Gudas’, as he is fondly known, continues to pull the strings in the middle and starts from the back in orchestrating Wanderers’ attacks. He is showing to be among the players who posses best ball distribution in the league and one who often times never get noticed of the tremendous work he does for Terisayi Changara’s team.
MBONGENI MAGAGULA – MONENI PIRATES
Dynamites come in small packages. Known equally for his toughness and skill, Mbongeni Magagula has shown traits of following on the footsteps of his brother Junior Magagula. He has shown in the past three years to be the best attacking midfielder in the country. The younger version of Junior has been able to fill defensive responsibilities for Ikabort Masocha ball playing Moneni Pirates team while being inventive in cutting down attacks and moving forward.