Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHEN Joseph Kamwendo etched his name into Zimbabwean football folklore in 2005, few imagined his achievement would stand the test of time.
Twenty-one years later, the Malawian remains the only foreign player to have won the coveted Soccer Star of the Year award since the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1993.
After dazzling for CAPS United, Kamwendo’s feat has become one of the league’s most enduring records.
Now, however, that milestone is under serious threat.
Leading the charge is Scottland’s dependable left-back Kwakhe Thwala, the quietly impressive Eswatini international whose consistent performances have made him one of the standout players at
Mabviravira, who are seeking to defend their title.
While Namibia international Moses Shidolo, Thwala’s Scottland teammate, and Hardrock’s Eswatini midfielder Nelisa Dhlamini have also enjoyed exceptional seasons, it is Thwala’s understated brilliance that has steadily earned admiration across the league.
Nicknamed “Stopper” back home, the 24-year-old has seamlessly adapted to Zimbabwean football after joining Scottland from Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs at the start of the season.
His move was widely celebrated in his homeland, where Scottland have earned the nickname “the Mamelodi Sundowns of Zimbabwe” for their ambitious recruitment drive and growing financial muscle.
Far from being overawed by the challenge, Thwala has flourished.
“My season has been a very good one and I’ve settled well at Scottland, getting help from the local players,” Thwala told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
His rise mirrors a growing trend that has seen Zimbabwe emerge as an attractive destination not only for footballers from Eswatini and Namibia but also from Central and Western Africa.
According to Thwala, the country’s top-flight league offers a level of competition that continues to improve every season.
“I think players from Swaziland are coming to play here in Zimbabwe because of the improvement and competition the league has and the growth of the PSL.
“For me, coming here to Zimbabwe, I wanted to take another step in my career.”
Having already lifted the league title with Nsingizini, Thwala now hopes to replicate that success in Zimbabwe and carve out another piece of history.
“I want to win the league here in Zimbabwe and be the champion as I will be the first Swazi player to win the league here in Zimbabwe,” he said.
As fate would have it, his football journey has come full circle.
Scottland have been drawn against Nsingizini Hotspurs in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, setting up Thwala’s emotional reunion with his former club.
“It’s a good feeling for me and I’ve been away from home for a long time,” said Thwala.
“So it will be good to be back home and play against my former team and my family will get time to come and watch me playing in Scottland colours.”
Beyond his personal ambitions, Thwala believes Scottland are changing the face of Zimbabwean football.
The club’s willingness to invest in quality foreign talent, while also bringing home established Zimbabwean internationals such as Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat, has elevated standards across the league.
“I think Scottland have improved the standards by bringing in more foreign players.
“The professionalism the team has is awesome.
“The team has managed to bring back local international players to play at home, including Knowledge and Terrence (Dzvukamanja), and that is raising the standards of football.”
Whether Thwala ultimately breaks Kamwendo’s two-decade-old Soccer Star of the Year record remains to be seen.
But what has become clear is that Zimbabwe has become a destination where the region’s finest players believe their careers can reach greater heights.
