Alakhe Mdluli debuts for AmaZulu in Diski Challenge

Alakhe Mdluli made his debut for the AmaZulu Multichoice Diski Challenge team on Saturday, taking on Orlando Pirates at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.

In a tight contest, neither team could find a way through, resulting in a goalless draw, but it was another step up the ladder for the talented Glenwood High football captain.

His teammates in the AmaZulu lineup include Aphiwe Buthelezi, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the FC Bayern International Youth Cup in 2023, which earned him an opportunity to join the FC Bayern World Squad in the United States to compete against other elite young footballers.  Mateo Horstead is also with AmaZulu. In 2023, he captained Maritzburg College to an unprecedented treble.

At Glenwood, Mdluli not only captains the side but is also the fulcrum around which it is built. He is a goal scorer and a goal provider and operates in various positions, including as a winger, an inverted winger, a central attacking midfielder, and as a striker. SuperSport Schools‘ commentator, Sibonelo Zulu, refers to him as “Joga Bonito” due to his flawless ball control and beautiful play.

Mdluli, nicknamed “Smiley”, has already appeared in youth internationals for Eswatini. He was called up to the national u17 team in 2021 and was recently selected for the Eswatini u20 team.

During 2024, he has led Glenwood to two titles, the u19 2nd Term KZNHSFA Coastal League and the Primo Big 10 Schools Cup. In both events, he was a standout performer, which included being named the man of the match in the league final against Westville Boys’ High School in which he provided an assist. He also played a pivotal role in his school’s triumph in the Primo Big 10, in which they defeated Durban High School 1-0 in the final.

In 2023, he helped the Green Machine to a runner-up finish in the Primo Big 10. This season, it was a case of third time lucky as Glenwood clinched the title for the first time, defeating Northwood, Maritzburg College and DHS twice each, on their way to the title.

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Siya Pongco

A passionate reader and dedicated writer, Siya possesses three degrees from Rhodes University including a Postgraduate Diploma at Rhodes University. He also played amateur cricket and soccer, both during his university years. While honing his journalism skills at Grocott’s Mail in Makhanda, he developed a profound interest in the community’s response to crime. Additionally, he covered topics such as art/culture and student politics at Rhodes University in 2022. In his spare time, Siya can be found exploring galleries, dining at restaurants, indulging in literature, taking photographs or savouring his favourite dish, spaghetti.

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