Rising star Athini Maqokolo was crowned as AmaZulu’s standout performer for the 2025/26 season after collecting four gongs at the club’s awards ceremony on Friday.
The cherry on the cake for the 23-year-old talent was him driving away with the latest Mitsubishi Outlander, courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa.
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Since being snapped up from JDR Stars at the beginning of last season, Maqokolo has racked up impressive numbers with six goals and four assists in 31 outings for Usuthu across all competitions as they finished in fourth position.
The event, which was held at Premier Hotel Umhlanga on Friday, 24 July 2026, afforded club President Sandile Zungu the opportunity to express gratitude towards the players.
“Our fourth position in the Betway Premiership was no accident. It was the reward for discipline, sacrifice, resilience and an unwavering commitment to our shared vision. There were moments of adversity, injuries to key personnel and difficult fixtures that tested our resolve, yet this group continued to rise to every challenge,” said Zungu.
“Across six KwaZulu-Natal derbies, we collected four victories, one draw and just one defeat—13 points from a possible 18. We proudly retained our status as Izingqwele Zase KZN, a title that carries immense significance for this football club and its supporters.
“Statistics often tell an interesting story. Had we maintained that level of consistency throughout the entire campaign, we would have finished on approximately 65 league points. That is no longer merely an observation—it is now our benchmark.
“As we look ahead to the 2026/27 season, our ambitions remain clear. We want AmaZulu Football Club to make Top Four finishes the standard rather than the exception and challenge for every competition on offer.”
Here’s a list of all the awards recipients:
- Most Improved Player: Athini Maqokolo
- Best Newcomer: Athini Maqokolo
- Young Player of the Season: Siphamandla Zikhali
- Most Consistent Player: Riaan Hanamub
- Most Disciplined Player: Riaan Hanamub
- Leadership Award: Hendrick Ekstein
- Unsung Hero Award, “Usuthu Award”: Richard Ofori
- Biggest Moment / Match Winner: Hendrick Ekstein
- Best Forward: Athini Maqokolo
- Best Midfielder: Siyanda Hlangabeza
- Best Defender: Taariq Fielies
- Best Goalkeeper: Darren Johnson
- Goal Saver Award: Olwethu Mzimela
- Coach’s Award: Riaan Hanamub
- President’s Award: Riaan Hanamub
- Golden Boot: Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya
- Players’ Player: Hendrick Ekstein
- Player of the Season: Athini Maqokolo
- Supporter Recognition Award: Bhekifa Khanyile
- Supporter Excellence Award: Ndumiso “Dlamini” Zondi
- Award for Dedicated Service (Admin): Lihle Dlamini & Brilliant Mkhathini
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