Kruger United midfielder, Celimpilo “Zidane” Ngema, praises hard work and teamwork as a charm to win the Motsepe Foundation Championship title for this team that will compete in the Betway Premiership next season.
Although there are still two games left in the 2025/26 Championship season, Kruger have already won the division’s league. It ended the speculation about the league rivalry by beating Black Leopards 3-1 on Saturday at KaNyamazane Stadium, KaNyamazane.
Ngema (28) from Thubalethu, Melmoth, is one of the players who played a major role in the success of Kruger which he joined from MaZulu at the beginning of the season.
“Our hard work and working together as team players finally paid off. So we are all happy that we finally managed to achieve our goal that we set for ourselves this season, which was to fight to win the league,” said Ngema.
This player who is the engine of the midfield, who left MaZulu after playing two seasons for them he is among the players who played in the Premiership including Tercious Malepe, Morne Nel, Wandisile Letlabika, Sipho Sibiya and Ntsako Makhubela.
“The team’s promotion to the Betway Premiership means a lot to me because it gives me another opportunity that I consider as a second chance to return to playing in the Betway division which is a division that every professional football player wants.
I am determined to seize this opportunity with both, and continue to be determined,” said Ngema.
Kruger opened an eight-point gap between themselves and second-placed Milford FC with 50.
It will play against Gomora United at Malamulele Stadium, Malamulele, on Sunday at 3 pm. In the final match, they will play The Bees at home.
“Although we know that we are the champions of the league, we will continue to play with determination in the remaining two games, and we have made our own history by ending the season with many points.” says Ngema.
Last season, Durban City won the Motsepe Championship league with 58 points, while Kruger is on the verge of surpassing Thanda Royal Zulu’s record of 62 points which won the Championship title in the 2016/17 season.