Mbabane: Sihlangu Semnikati and Mbabane Highlanders’ captain Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa has proven his worth by striking the back of the net seven times in four games.
The former Mbombela United striker’s career was revived by the Pretoria- based businessman, Chief Ally Kgomongwe, who is also a sole Mbabane Highlanders Managing director.
Kgomongwe fought tooth and nail to get the top striker to return to the beautiful game after he was suspended by the South African Football Association (SAFA). Ndzinisawas found guilty of being double registered by Mbombela United and TS Galaxy in the second-tier league in neighboring South Africa.
In his first game of the season, Ndzinisa netted a brace against Young Buffaloes to inspire his side to a 2-1 win in the capital city giants’ opening game of the league. In the team’s second game he scored an equalizing goal against ManziniWandererswhere he helped Highlanders secure a draw.
Ndzinisa then grabbed another brace during their third game against newly-promoted Shiselweni-based outfit, Rangers Football Club where the capital city giants thrashed them 5-0. If he maintains his scoring form, he will surpass or equal Young Buffaloes striker Phiwayinkhosi ‘Slwabelwabe’ Dlamini, who earned E20 000 for his outstanding performance in the MTN Premier League first round last season.
The towering army side striker’s performance earned him three awards, being the top goalscorer award that carried E6 000, best player award carrying an incentive of E8 000, and player of the month for May award worthE6 000. His outstanding performance came after that of his teammate Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze who was simply the best the previous season. Dlamini was the top goalscorer in the league, leading with 21 goals while Mbabane Highlanders’ ‘Sikhali’ was second with 19 goals.
“I do not have a target for goals this season, once I get a chance to score, I will score even if it is 1000 goals. If I score I score, and a missed opportunity will be a missed opportunity,” said the player when he responded to questions by Independent News on what his targets are this season as he is currently leading the scoring charts with five goals in three games.
The clinical striker also indicated that if he does not get injured and is able to feature in more Highlanders’ games, he will continue to score more goals. Worth noting is that Ndzinisa once sustained a career-threatening head injury while with Mbabane Swallows and had to undergo intensive medical therapy in order to return to football action.
Currently, on the 2021/2022 season scorers’ chart, Ndzinisa is the leading scorer with five goals and followed by Manzini Sea Birds’ MthokozisiGwebu with three goals scored in the same number of games. Others appearing in the chart are Royal Leopard’s trio of Barry Steenkamp, ThabisoMokenkoane, and Junior Magagula who all have two goals in three games.
Name Team Games Goals
Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa M. Highlanders 3 5
MthokozisiGwebu M. Sea Birds 3 3
Daniel Atakora T. Callies 3 2
FabriceMopina M. Wanderers 3 2
Barry Steenkamp R. Leopard 3 2
ThabisoMokenkoane R. Leopard 3 2
Junior Magagula R. Leopard 3 2
MuziTsabedze M. Sea Birds 3 2
WandileDlamini Tambuti 3 2
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