Outstanding UKZN Soccer "Stars" Receive Awards

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UKZN’s Res League Committee recently honoured football players, coaches and officials during their Annual Res League awards held at Howard College campus.

The awards are given to players pertaining to both the Premier Division League and University First Division (UFD) at the end of the season. Each division is constituted by 13 teams which makes up a total of 26 teams.

During the event players who have secured contracts with KwaZulu-Natal professional teams including Amazulu FC, Golden Arrows and Ses’khona FC from Motsepe League were also announced.

Finance Officer, Mr Sabelo Siwelele Mkhize from the Res League Sport Department said the awards celebrate those who have performed outstandingly throughout the year in the League and cup competitions.

‘This event came as an adoption from the professional football leagues around the world, where at the end of every season players, coaches, officials and teams are awarded based on their outstanding performance throughout the football season.

‘Basically, for every individual award we look at one’s contributions to the team throughout the season and for the team award, we look at the team work displayed by the team players on the field of play, and the effort made to win league and cup games,’ said Mkhize.

Guest speaker for the evening was well-known soccer player Mr Ayanda Ndlovu. His football profile speaks volumes in both provincial and national divisions. In 2002, he played for University of Natal Durban SAFA SAB team. He continued to play for known teams from Vodacom SAFA League namely; Maritzburg City, Booth Laces Academy, Brazil FC, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Ndlovu has been part of Howard College Res Soccer League since 2002 and watched it evolved from recreational league to a more competitive league, and providing platforms for young stars to be recognised by professional teams through various innovations. Ayanda has won all Res Soccer league tournament with his current team, New Res, since 2002 till now.

The students play for various teams and those include the HCSS, Anchor House, New Res, Juventus, City Life, Mabel Palmer, Reservoir, John Bews, Springfield, Tower, Colonial, Tiger Boys, Shepstone House, T Will, Renaissance, Mayville Court, Camden, TB Spurs, Queens Park Strangers, Seaboard, Albert Luthuli, FC United, Legacy, Victoria, Parkcelona, and Greyville.

Wishing all the winners well Mkhize said: ‘Congratulations to all the winners. May the gifts they have received serve as a tool to encourage them to work even harder next year and set the bar even higher. Soccer is not only about talent but it’s about being disciplined, and dedicated.’

Winners announced during the evening are as follows:

University First Division:

• UFD Young Player Of The Season: Mfundo “Crouch” Ngidi (John Bews Super Eagles)
• UFD Best Newcomer (Team): John Bews Super Eagles
• UFD Best Newcomer  (Player): Sphumelele “Mushangazike” Mkhize (Seaboard FC)
• UFD Goalkeeper Of The Season: Philasande Ngcobo (John Bews Super Eagles)
• UFD Defender Of The Season: Sakhile Malinga (Reservoir FC)
• UFD Midfielder Of The Season: Samkelo Hlatshwayo (Reservoir FC)
• UFD Top Goal Scorer: Siyabonga Mkhonto (Reservoir FC)
• UFD Most Exciting Player: Samkelo Hlatshwayo (Reservoir FC)
• UFD Player's Player Of The Season: Sphumelele “Mushangazuke” Mkhize (Seaboard FC)
• UFD Footballer Of The Season: Samkelo Hlatshwayo (Reservoir FC)
• UFD Coach Of The Season: Mthokozisi Khoza (Reservoir FC)

University Premier Division:

• UPD Young Player Of The Season: Dumisa “Shoti” Zikhali (Juventus)
• UPD Most Improved Team: Juventus
• UPD Best Newcomer  (Player): Magaye Cele (Tower FC)
• UPD Goalkeeper Of The Season: Nkosikhona Ntuli (Howard College Super Stars)
• UPD Defender Of The Season: Mthobeleni “Gadaffi” Nzimande (Anchor House)
• UPD Midfielder Of The Season: Melusi  Zondi (Howard College Super Stars)
• UPD Top Goal Scorer: Mcebo “Baba ka Mfana” Mbatha (City Life)
• Team Of The Year: Howard College Super Stars (H.C.S.S)
• UPD Most Exciting Player: Malibongwe “Cheese” Mbele
• UPD Player's Player Of The Season: Melusi Zondi (Howard College Super Stars)
• UPD Footballer Of The Season: Melusi Zondi (Howard College Super Stars)
• UPD Coach Of The Season: Nhlanhla “Rocks” Mhlanga (Howard College Super Stars)

Other Special Awards of the day:

• Chairman's Award: Colonial FC (for their outstanding discipline and fair play)
• Award For Sports Officer: Award of appreciation for Mrs Nomkhosi Dlamini-Ndlovu
• Awards For Referees: Mvelo, Lah, Oscar, Gadaffi, Sanele Beer, Menzi, Nhlakanipho, Shakes, Sgcino, Nsika

Res League Squad Appreciation Awards:

• : Gadaffi (C), Zuko, Ten, Melusi, Cheese, BraMan, Nkosi, Qaphela, Mathe, Mhlengi, Mshengu, Lovemore, Thandanani, Ndu, Sandile, Crouch, Mcebo, Masiya, Sgcino, Mkhonto, Thobani “Hlanyo”
• : Siwelele, Khule, Manqoba and Mthuthu

Words: Sithembile Shabangu