BY THEMBA ZWANE
EZULWINI – Red Rhinos midfield maestro Sibusiso Mkhonta and Magwanyana FC goal machine Phiwokwakhe ‘Shalulile’ Matsebula emerged as the biggest individual winners at the inaugural MulaSport National First Division (NFD) Awards held at the SibaneSami Hotel, capping off a memorable 2025/26 season.
Mkhonta was crowned the prestigious Player of the Season, while Matsebula walked away with the Top Goalscorer Award after finishing the campaign with an impressive 24 goals.
The awards ceremony celebrated the best performers in Eswatini’s second-tier league and marked the end of the first season under MulaSport’s multi-million-emalangeni sponsorship of the competition, an investment that has transformed the profile of the National First Division and increased competition among clubs.
For Mkhonta, the Player of the Season accolade was the culmination of a remarkable campaign in which he played a central role in Red Rhinos’ successful push for league honours. The talented midfielder consistently delivered influential performances throughout the season, helping steer the team to the inaugural MulaSport NFD championship.
His award also highlighted Red Rhinos’ dominance during the campaign. The club spent much of the season at the summit of the standings after also finishing the first round as league leaders, a feat that laid the foundation for their title triumph.
While Mkhonta was recognised as the league’s most outstanding all-round performer, Matsebula’s exploits in front of goal made him impossible to ignore.
Nicknamed ‘Shalulile’ after prolific Namibian striker Peter Shalulile, the Magwanyana forward terrorised defences throughout the season, finishing with 24 goals to comfortably secure the Golden Boot. His tally placed him six goals ahead of nearest challenger Sidumo Dlamini of Pigg’s Peak Professionals.
Matsebula’s award-winning season had been building for months. In March, he was named the MulaSport NFD Player of the Month after scoring four goals and providing an assist in just three matches, performances that helped propel Magwanyana into the promotion race.
Speaking earlier in the season, the striker had set himself a target of reaching 20 goals. He ultimately surpassed that mark by four goals, underlining his consistency and lethal finishing ability. At one stage of the campaign, he had already accumulated 12 goals and 12 assists, showcasing not only his scoring prowess but also his creativity.
The 26-year-old credited his success to his teammates, coaches and family, while also expressing satisfaction at helping Magwanyana remain competitive throughout the season.
Other major winners on the night included Madlenya mentor William ‘Baggio’ Gamedze, who was named Coach of the Season, goalkeeper Sikhumbuzo Matfonsi, Young Player of the Season Adriano Massingue, and PRO of the Season Comfort Jele. Usuthu Liverpool received the Fair Play Award for their exemplary discipline throughout the campaign.
The awards ceremony not only recognised excellence on the field but also highlighted the growing stature of the National First Division under MulaSport’s sponsorship. With individual stars such as Mkhonta and Matsebula raising the standard of competition, the league continues to strengthen its reputation as a breeding ground for future Premier League talent.
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