A new kid on the block is ruffling feathers in the Mpumalanga soccer scene

SD Mabaya have made their presence felt in a short space of time

The Village Voice

Although they are relatively a new outfit in the Mpumalanga football scene, SD Mabaya, an affiliated of the Shimungwe Country league, affiliated to the Safa affiliated Bushbuckridge Football Association are not only a force to be reckoned with but also a household name.

The team was founded by local personality Sipho Dzimba, former journalist, public relations practitioner, entrepreneur and Philanthropist to boot.

Dzimba started the team in Soshanguve in Tshwane in 2014 but relocated it to his home village of Kildare in Mpumalanga in 2022 as a way of ploughing back to his community.

Although playing in the lower leagues, they are hugely known throughout the entire Mpumalanga and also Limpopo and Gauteng.

Dzimba attributes it to how they do things.

“We have much presence on social media platforms and this has worked to our advantage,” he says.

He adds that the team is growing in leaps and bounds and has a ladies’ team Mabaya Queens that is playing under the aegis of the Ehlanzeni Womens’ Regional League and it is doing well.

 But the team is fighting for the turf with another local team Eleven Experience, known as Malevhen, and their rivalry is now known far and wide.

Each time they two have to meet, fans brace themselves for thrills and jitters.

And ambition is not in short supply to this man.

“When we get to the Hollywood Bets Regional League, we shall have a better platform to showcase our brand,” he said.

He is looking farther. He is already eyeing the ABC Motsepe League and thereafter knocks on the door of professional soccer.

The team is known in various ways.

Some call them Tihosi, other know it as the Finest Boys.

But the truth is that Abafana Bok’uthula no thando, as they are also known have arrived on the soccer seen.

They are a force to be reckoned with.