Lindo in Africa’s top 10 league
MBABANE – Eswatini international Lindo Mkhonta plays in one of the top 10 best leagues in Africa.
According to information sourced from www.citimuzik.com/, Zambia is the ranked 10th in Africa. This is where the former Young Buffaloes rightback, Mkhonta, is plying his trade. The former Malanti Chiefs defender plays for Zesco United, a team that reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League in 2016.
Mkhonta joined the ‘A-lister’ league last month where he signed a two-year contract with the Zambian side. Despite playing for the top 10 leagues in Africa, Mkhonta has not been named in the provisional Sihlangu squad to face Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers. Notably, Mkhonta was the captain of the Dominic Kunene-led charges before he was dropped in the tentative squad.
The website refers to a ranking of the best-performing football leagues in the African continent, based on the performance of the teams in various domestic and international competitions.
These rankings are compiled by organisations such as the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) and are updated annually.
The top 10 strongest leagues are considered to be the elite of African football, showcasing some of the best talent and competitiveness the continent has to offer.
According to the latest rankings by the IFFHS, the top 10 strongest leagues in Africa in 2023 include top-ranked Egypt. Coming second is Algeria while Morocco is ranked third in Africa. The Sudan league is ranked fourth while Tanzania league is fifth.
The DStv Premiership is ranked sixth. This is where most of local players usually play. Felix Badenhorst and Justice Figuareido were at some point playing for TS Galaxy.
The Angolan league, where Mbabane Highlanders winger Bonginkhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini once played for Deportive Esperance is ranked seventh in Africa and is followed by the Tunisian league.
Reached for comment, FIFAAccredited
Agent Dingane Maduma said this was good for Eswatini.
“This means Eswatini is represented among the top 10 leagues in Africa. We are positive that he will make an impact and we will have more local players plying their trade among the best leagues in Africa,” said Maduma.
Meanwhile Mkhonta said he was honoured to play in the top10 leagues in Africa.
“This gives me a challenge to work extra hard knowing I’m playing in a competitive league in Africa. My dream is that I play among the top 10 leagues in Africa until I retire. I wish to play in the DStv Premiership, as it is also among the top 10 strongest leagues in Africa,” said Mkhonta.
Asked on his omission in the national team, he said he preferred not
PERFORMANCE IN CAF COMPETITIONS
CAF Champions League: 9 appearances
2008 – Last 32
2009 – Group stage (Top 8) 2011 – Last 16
2015 – Last 32
2016 – Semi-finals
2018 – Group stage (Top 16) 2019 - First Round
2020 - Group stage (Top 16) 2022 - Preliminary round
CAF Confederation Cup: 6 appearances
2006 – First Round
2010 – First Round
2013 – Last 16
2014 – Second round
2017 – Quarter-finals
2019 – Group stage (Top 16)
Top ten leagues in Africa
1. Egypt
2. Algeria
3. Morocco
4. Sudan
5. Tanzania
6. South Africa
7. Angola
8. Tunisia
9. Nigeria
10. Zambia
to comment on the issue.
Zesco United are one team that are well-known in Africa, especially when it comes to continental football.
ZESCO United Football Club (simply often known as ZESCO) is a Zambian professional football club based in Ndola in Zambia, that competes in the Zambia Super League.The team plays its home matches at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The club is wholly owned and sponsored by the State-owned electricity supplier ZESCO.
ZESCO United was founded in 1974. They became the first Zambian club to qualify for the CAF African Champions League Group stage in 2009. ZESCO United also became the first Zambian Club this century to play against European opposition when they played against Zenit Saint Petersburg in Abu Dhabi in 2008.
They reached their first ever semi-finals of the CAF African Champions League in 2016.