Mnisi United F.C player’s awards
Mnisi United Football Club awarded players with medals and certificates for their various roles in the club.
The awards ceremony was held at Mnisi, Katlehong, on January 22.
Committee members who attended the event were founder and head coach Tebogo Malangabe, vice-chairperson Lwazi Nkosi, secretary Thuli Shabangu, treasurer Gugu Khumalo, and deputy treasurer Nombulelo Simelane.
All players in u11, u13, u15 and the ladies team received medals for their commitment and efforts to grow the team.
Special category recipients included:
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).
Midfield of the season
• Nhlakanipho Ludidi u-11.
• Mothibe Modiba u-13.
• Yolanda Mtambeka (ladies).
Top goalscorer
• Matimba Limba u-11.
• Lesedi Ndhlovu u-13.
• Palisa Mohloane (ladies).
Most discipline player of the season
• Xola Lufundo u-11.
• Itumelang Montso and Kwazi khumalo u-13.
• Nthabiseng nguni Mira (ladies).
Most committed player of the season
• Njabulo Mthokozisi Mavuso u-11.
• Shaun Zivakwe u-13.
• 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).
Chairman awards
• Ayanda Malinga Ndlovu.
• Tyson Skhumbuzo Mvubu.
Prominent athlete and former Banyana Banyana player Portia Modise also graced the event.
Modise motivated players to focus on their dreams while sharing challenges she encountered during her upbringing.
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).
Coach Tebogo Malangabe said the early days were hard, as they had to lend jerseys from other teams.
“We received a jersey donation from Nomsa Ndlovu in the United Kingdom.”
He said they played with the jersey for two sessions in 2016 and 2017.
In 2018 they joined the Eden Park Local Football Association. According to Malangabe, the decision to move was to expose players to grass soccer fields.
In 2019 Mnisi United added another wing as they established the ladies’ team. They played in the KALFA league after a year before joining the regional league.
“It was their first season and they finished tenth. Our u-13’s finished third in EPLFA league and the u-11’s fourth.”
