Wonder Mabandla Nhleko (born 16 April 1981) is a Liswati former

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby lea ...

Early life

Nhleko started playing football at a young age and was a more individualistic player as a youth player.

Club career

Nhleko is nicknamed "Samba Jive". He has been regarded as one of the most experienced players in Eswatini and played in South Africa. He has been regarded as one of the most important players of Swazi side Mbabane Swallows. He helped the club win every trophy in Swaziland and achieve a season-long unbeaten run that included the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. He has been the oldest player to play in the Swazi top flight.

International career

Nhleko made his

COSAFA Cup The COSAFA Cup (known fully as COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup) is an annual tournament for teams from Southern Africa organized by Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), inaugurated after the ban against the Republic of Sout ...

debut for Eswatini in 2002 . Altogether, he has made 45 appearances for the

Eswatini national football team The Eswatini national football team, nicknamed ''Sihlangu Semnikati'' (King's Shield), represents Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, in international association football, football and is controlled by the Eswatini Football Association. It ...

Style of play

Nhleko mainly operates as a winger and is known for his speed. He has also been known for his ability to score "wonder goals".

Post-playing career

Nhleko has taken managerial courses.

Personal life

Nhleko has been married. He is the son of Abner Sipho Nhleko.

References

External links

* * Living people 1981 births Black Leopards F.C. players Blackburn Rovers F.C. (South Africa) players Denver Sundowns F.C. players Eswatini men's international footballers Expatriate men's soccer players in South Africa FC AK players Hanover Park F.C. players Malanti Chiefs F.C. players Mbabane Swallows F.C. players Men's association football wingers National First Division players Platinum Stars F.C. players South African Premier Division players Swazi expatriate men's footballers Swazi expatriate sportspeople in South Africa Swazi men's footballers {{Eswatini-footy-bio-stub