Having scored five goals in four AmaZulu FC matches, rising striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has revealed his biggest motivation early in the 2026/27 season.
The hardworking 23-year-old marksman scored the goal that gave AmaZulu FC a winning start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign. He converted a penalty as they beat Stellenbosch FC 1-0 before notching a brace as they went down 4-3 to Sekhukhune United in an MTN8 quarter-final match earlier this month.
He was on target again last Wednesday night, converting from the spot on the stroke of half-time as AmaZulu FC drew 1-1 with Orlando Pirates at Kings Park Stadium in Durban.
On Saturday, he was on target again, as Usuthu beat Siwelele FC 2-0. In total, Ngwenya has scored five goals in four games for Usuthu in all competitions, with one assist under his belt.
While he is enjoying a rich vein of form early in the season, Ngwenya has his sights on the Betway Premiership Golden Boot. Last season he scored seven goals in 17 matches and was the club top goalscorer.
EXIT OF FELLOW ZIMBABWEANS FUELS THANDOLWENKOSI NGWENYA’S DRIVE
But it is the exit of his compatriots from South Africa that has given him new energy to rise above the rest and be a top performer at Usuthu, to keep his place in the lucrative league. The number of Zimbabweans in the Betway Premiership has significantly reduced in the last two years.
At the moment, only six players remain in the Betway Premiership, following the exit of Isheanesu Mauchi from Chippa United, Mason Mushore from AmaZulu FC, Edmore Chirambadare from Magesi FC and Washington Arubi from Marumo Gallants.
Mauchi, Mushore, Chirambadare and Arubi have already joined different clubs in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League of Zimbabwe.
Divine Lunga of Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates‘ Daniel Msendami, Junior Zindoga at TS Galaxy, Juan Mutudza at Polokwane City FC and Kruger United’s Tatenda Tavengwa remain in the Betway Premiership. Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze is in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with Magesi FC.
Speaking to FARPost in an interview, Ngwenya revealed his biggest motivation, urging the other remaining Zimbabweans in the Betway Premiership to always perform above board.
“With fewer Zimbabweans here [in SA] now, there is more pressure on us who remain, so we can’t relax. Every game matters because we are not just playing for ourselves,” Ngwenya told FARPost.
“We are playing for the young boys back home in Zimbabwe who are watching and dreaming. So we have to keep performing, keep the standards high, so the door stays open for others to come through after us.
“To be honest, when you see your brothers leaving one by one, it wakes you up. It tells you this league is not guaranteed. The responsibility is bigger on those of us left. We can’t afford to drop our levels.”
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