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Ronald Mpofu

MAINLINE FC nicknamed “Iziratha’ on November 30, 2024, gave out 10 awards to honour outstanding players.
The Division One outfit finished the season in position four on the Southern Region log. The event was hosted in Plumtree town, at the Mainline butchery backyard, owned by one of the Football Club’s co-directors, Mkhulunyelwa Nkomo.

Several players from the Football Club team received recognition for their exceptional performance in various categories as follows:
Players’ player of the year: Zenempilo Khupe
Top goal scorer: Mthulisi Tamela
Most disciplined player: Itumeleng Siwelela
Most Influential: Zenempilo Khupe
Rookie of the Year: Kaiden Masamba
Most Consistent: Denzel Dube
Most Promising: Michael Nyathi
Most Improved: Thabo Sibanda
Player of the Year: Denzel Dube
Goalkeeper (clean sheets): Anxious Mutanda

(From left) Zenempilo Khupe, Mkhulunyelwa Nkomo, Garikai Maganga and Enock Mtarika

The event was attended by distinguished guests from local organizations, including Garikayi Maganga from Greens Supermarket, Rungano Magiga from the Plumtree Town Council, and Dumisani Tsheza, school Head from Sikhathini High.

“Mainline FC is set for a major revamp: New name, new era” Mkhulunyelwa Nkomo, the founder of the club, emphasised. “The name ‘Mainline’ might not resonate with everyone, especially since my company shares the same name. A more fitting name could be ‘Plumtree Football Club’, reflecting the team’s role in serving the local community.” Said Nkomo.

Edwin Simango, the team’s committee member, took to the podium to elaborate to the guests on how Mainline FC was brought to life. “Formed in 2017 through an initiative by Charlton Gumede a football enthusiast who approached Director Mkhulunyelwa Nkomo with this great idea to help start a football team. Director Nkomo by being passionate about football accepted the request and pledged to bankroll the project.” He added that the team’s objective is aimed at keeping youths away from street life so they don’t indulge in drug and substance abuse.

“In 2017 Mainline FC was born and affiliated with Division 2 league. After just a season, Mainline was promoted to Division 1 Southern region. Since then, the team has continued to shine and make history… In 2019 Mainline FC entered into a Partnership with Greens supermarket our all-weather friend and the aim was to enhance brand visibility (a way aimed to increase brand awareness, attract new fans, and share resources and expertise between the two which would in turn also help reduce costs).” Said Edwin Simango.