Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE international Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya continues to deliver in front of goal despite reportedly receiving death threats following his challenge on Orlando Pirates midfielder Sihle Nduli.
The 23-year-old scored and provided an assist as AmaZulu defeated Siwelele 2-0 in the South African Betway Premiership football match at Kings Park on Saturday, taking his tally to five goals in four competitive matches this season.
Ngwenya created the opener for Mlondi Mbanjwa in the 20th minute before finishing clinically from Nkosikhona Radebe’s delivery 12 minutes later. The victory preserved Usuthu’s unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership season and lifted them into second place, level on points with leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
After the match, AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane backed Ngwenya to develop into one of Zimbabwe’s leading footballers.
“Thando is still young, but I want him to reach the level of the Musonas (Knowledge and Walter),” Zwane said.
“I am his mentor and coach, and I will push him to reach that level.
“When he returns to Zimbabwe, I want him to eventually be regarded in the same way as the Musonas, Khama Billiat and Peter Ndlovu because he has the potential to reach that level.”
Ngwenya’s latest goal followed his penalty in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates.
He was subsequently subjected to reported death threats after a heavy challenge injured Nduli shortly after the re-start.
Ngwenya declined to discuss the threats when approached.
“I don’t want to comment on the death threats,” he said.
The former FC Platinum striker had earlier apologised for the challenge, maintaining that he did not intend to injure Nduli.
His latest performance provided the ideal response to Zwane’s criticism of his movement and work rate following the Pirates encounter.
Ngwenya opened the campaign with the win against Stellenbosch before scoring twice in AmaZulu’s 4-3 extra-time MTN8 defeat to Sekhukhune United. He then converted against Pirates and struck against Siwelele.
He finished as AmaZulu’s leading scorer last season with eight goals in 20 appearances across all competitions despite missing several matches because of a foot injury.
Ngwenya will seek to extend his scoring run in the upcoming fixtures.
“My focus is to continue helping the club win, and score more goals,” he said.
