Ex-Zimbabwe international and Orlando Pirates captain Edelbert Dinha has made a bold prediction about AmaZulu FC hotshot Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, saying the striker will replicate the feat Khama Billiat achieved in 2016 at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Billiat was the last Zimbabwean player to win major PSL awards after scooping PSL Footballer of the Season in 2016. He also walked away with the PSL Players’ Player of the Season and PSL Midfielder of the Season.
Furthermore, he made the final top three shortlist for the 2016 CAF African Player of the Year [based in Africa] award. Billiat was in fine form at Sundowns before crossing floors to join Kaizer Chiefs.
However, a new era is on the horizon, with Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya rising to stardom as one of Zimbabwe’s most wanted strikers in the Betway Premiership. Ngwenya has been in scintillating form and is on the brink of breaking PSL records.
As it stands, Ngwenya has scored eight goals for AmaZulu FC in seven Betway Premiership games. In total, he has scored ten goals, including two goals which he netted in the MTN8.
Ngwenya has been so good that Dinha believes he could be the only one with the ability to achieve what Khama Billiat achieved a decade ago in the SA Elite League.
‘HIS FORM IS VERY INSPIRING’ – EDELBERT DINHA ON THANDO NGWENYA
Speaking to FARPost, Dinha said Ngwenya’s current form reminds him of another Zimbabwean legend, Wilfred Mugeyi, who won the South African Premiership Golden Boot during the inaugural 1996/97 PSL season while playing for Bush Bucks. Mugeyi also swept the PSL Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards that same campaign.
“His form is very inspiring. What he has done, very few players have managed to do because he has managed to deliver consistently, and so far, how he has performed only reminds me of Wilfred Mugeyi,” told FARPost.
“This is exactly what Wilfred Mugeyi did when he won the Golden Boot in South Africa. So it’s inspiring, and I foresee him doing the same.
“And to be honest, what he shows are the characteristics of someone who can scoop all the major [individual] awards, just like what Khama Billiat did in 2016. It’s very inspiring from the Zimbabwean perspective.”
DINHA’S WISE WORDS TO NGWENYA
The former Warriors midfielder, however, warned the AmaZulu FC star to stay grounded despite growing interest from big clubs.
“But at this point it is important for him to stay grounded and focused. Keep working hard the same way he is doing, because it’s not easy to be in such a position. Now you’ve got pressure from clubs that want to sign you. You also have got pressure of delivering to your club,” added Dinha.
“And honestly, I think he has made so many fans interested in watching AmaZulu because of the way he scores. He changes his small moments into big moments, and I can only be proud of how he has grown.”
Ngwenya has been rewarded for his fine form by winning the August Player of the Month award and also receiving a call-up to the Zimbabwe national team, which is currently on duty in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
“You can tell he is now part of the national team and we will also hope that he could replicate that same form at national team level and get the goals. But at the same time, the most important thing for him right now is management,” declared Dinha.
“I think Ngwenya is that kind of a striker that can walk into the big three, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns and command a first team jersey.
“He is the kind of striker which these teams like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates do not have. And it’s so inspiring that he’s doing what he’s doing and hopefully he could take those [PSL] awards and make us all proud.”
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