Mnisi United FC players celebrated

Mnisi United awarded players with medals and certificates for their various roles in the club during an awards ceremony at Mnisi, Katlehong, on January 22.

Committee members of the club, including founder and head coach Tebogo Malangabe, vice-chairperson Lwazi Nkosi, secretary Thuli Shabangu, treasurer Gugu Khumalo, deputy treasurer Nombulelo Simelane deputy secretary Nomsa Ndlovu and additional member Nandipha Nkosi attended the event.

All players in the u-11, u-13, u-15 and the ladies team received certificates and medals for their commitment and efforts to grow the team.

Special category certificate recipients include

Goalkeeper of the season

• Hlonelani Mbane u-11

• Njabulo ofori Khumalo u-13

• Thulisile Yika (ladies)

Defender of the season

• Simphiwe Malete u-11

• Nqobani Sbongiseni Makhoba u-13

• Sandy Mhlongo (ladies)

Midfielder of the season

• Nhlakanipho Ludidi u-11

• Mothibe Modiba u-13

• Yolanda Mtambeka (ladies)

Top goal scorer

• Matimba Limba u-11

• Lesedi Ndhlovu u13

• Palisa Mohloane (ladies)

Most discipline player of the season

• Xola Lufundo u-11

• Itumelang Montso and Kwazi Khumalo u13

• Nthabiseng Nguni Mira (ladies)

Most committed player of the season

• Njabulo Mthokozisi Mavuso u-11

• Masichaba Selepe and Happy Nhlapo (ladies)

Most improved player of the season

• Itumelang Shuping u-11

• Owam Nhlapho u-13

• Busisiwe Ntuli (ladies)

Goal of the season

• Tumelo Ngwenya u-11

• Lesego Sethusa u-13

• Nqobile Khabonina Msimango (ladies)

Young player of the season

• Lerato Mthethwa and Hlelokuhle Mpangose u-11

• Mojalefa Majoe and Sihle Ntombela u-13

• Phindile Yika (ladies)

Player of the season

• Bokamoso Moletsane u-11

• Sibusiso Nduze u-13

• Palisa Mohloane (ladies)

Chairperson’s awards

• Ayanda Malinga Ndlovu

• Tyson Skhumbuzo Mvubu

Prominent athlete and former Banyana Banyana player Portia Modise also graced the event with her presence on the day.

Modise shared the challenges she encountered during her upbringing and motivated players to focus on their dreams.

She told players to focus on school and emphasised the importance of education.

“Taking a break from sports when you are struggling academically is not a train smash. If you are struggling at school, go to your coach and ask for time off training to focus on your books,” she said.

Mnisi United vice-chairperson Nkosi pleaded with parents to support their children.

Background

The team was established in 2016 with only u-11 and u-13 divisions competing in the Katlehong Local Football Association (KALFA).

Malangabe said the early days were hard, adding that they had to borrow jerseys from other teams when they had matches.

“Nomsa Ndlovu, who was in the United Kingdom, donated our first jerseys.”

He said they played with the jerseys for two sessions in 2016 and 2017 in the KALFA league.

In 2018, they joined the Eden Park Local Football Association. Malangabe said the decision to move was to expose players to grass soccer fields because those are the kinds of fields they would be playing on once they went professional.

In 2019, Mnisi United added another wing as they established the ladies’ team, which played in KALFA a year before joining the regional league.

“It was their first season last year. We are number 10 in the league. Our u-13 was on the third position and u-11 on position four at the EPLFA league.”

Achievements

The club has won a church tournament and was placed in the second position at the EPLFA league in 2018.