Ngwenya wins first Meat World award after 3-1 Chibuku Super Cup win

Highlanders goalkeeper Aron “Arusha” Ngwenya was named the first winner of the Meat World Butchery Player of the Match award after Bosso defeated Chicken Inn 3-1 on penalties in the Chibuku Super Cup on Sunday. The match had ended goalless after 90 minutes at Barbourfields Stadium.

Ngwenya played the decisive role in the shoot-out, stopping efforts from Tulani Joseph and Michael Charamba. Donovan Bernard also failed to score after his penalty struck the crossbar, allowing Highlanders to move into the next round of the competition.

The award had originally been planned for players who scored or created goals. Under that arrangement, the scorer and the provider of the assist would each have received US$50 for every match.

The organisers widened the eligibility rules after acknowledging that goalkeepers can determine the outcome of a game without contributing a goal or assist. Ngwenya therefore received US$100 for his display against Chicken Inn.

His award followed a performance that kept the rivals scoreless during normal time before he produced the two saves that shaped the shoot-out. Highlanders’ 3-1 victory on penalties secured their progress in the Chibuku Super Cup and made Ngwenya the first player to claim the newly introduced prize.