Ambitious!
This year’s 8Bet Trade Fair Cup Player of the Series, Biko Sibandze, did not just end there but also banged in the crucial goals for his team, Moneni Pirates.
The former Wits University development player helped his team to their first title since the defunct EswatiniBank Cup title in 2016, ending an 11-year trophy drought.
While deservedly winning the Player of the Series gong with a cash value of E12,000, he was also named joint Top Goalkeeper Award winner with runners-up Mbabane Highlanders AM’s Nkhosivumile Zulu and quarter-finalists Manzini Sea Birds’ Muzi Tsabedze.
This award comes with E9 000 before tax. The trio will share it equally after finishing with two goals apiece.
“I’m so excited we are champions. It’s not just about me but a collective effort. I’m glad to win this big award and would like to thank my teammates, technical bench and supporters.
“It’s definitely good to win, and as you asked, playing professionally remains my goal, he said.
Sibandze said he was currently about putting more effort into improving his game and helping Moneni the best way he could.
“The team had good preparations, and thanks to our president because it has shown,” he said.
About the game overall, his reaction was that simple – not an easy game.
“A tough and tense game but great spectacle as Highlanders came at us and we also attacked them so it was a good game of football,” Sibandze observed. 
Meanwhile, Moneni took home E660 000 while Highlanders netted E340 000.
Moreover, the ‘Fasa Spoko’ brand also had their new head coach Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala, goalkeeper Bernard Nii Armah Ayikweyii and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mlungisi ‘Sluga’ Simelane also shine with their own gongs for Best Coach (E9 000), Best Goalkeeper (E9000) and Best PRO. (E6 000) respectively.
Third-place winners Young Buffaloes settled for bronze and E100 000, while fourth-place finishers Green Mamba got E45000.
The Top 4 Teams!
1. Moneni Pirates – E660 000.
2. Mbabane Highlanders AM – E340 000.
3. Young Buffaloes – E100000.
4. Green Mamba – E45 000.
Individual Awards!
1. Player of the Series: Biko Sibandze (M. Pirates) – E12 000
2. Top Goalscorer: Biko Sibandze (M. Pirates), Nkhosivumile Zulu (M. Highlanders) and Muzi Tsabedze (M. Sea Birds) – E9 000 to be split.
3. Best Goalkeeper: Bernard Nii Armah Ayikweyi (M. Pirates): E9 000.
4. Best Coach: Selaotse’Sly’ Mosala (M. Pirates): E9 000.
5. Best PRO: Meluleki‘Sluga’ Simelane (M. Pirates): E6 000.
