AmaZulu’s Nigerian forward, Augustine Kwem was an elated man on 12 November after registering his first ever DStv Premiership hat-trick which cushioned Usuthu into eighth position on the log.
What a way to pick up the baton and talisman tag which was for years on the broad shoulders of the long serving Bonginkosi Ntuli, who was laid to rest last week.
Kwem admits both he and Carling Knockout hat-trick hero Junior Dion, alongside Victor Letsoalo, have their work cut out for them if they are to emulate such a great man
“The Golden Arrows game was quite a tough one as we are still in the process of mourning our beloved, teammate, friend, and brother,” said Kwem.
“It was quite an emotional one for us and for me having to be on the scoresheet, even scoring my first hat-trick, means a lot.
“I am just grateful that I could do it to help the team and to help us grow in confidence.
“To know that the spirit of Bongi is with us because we could cap it up with a win against Arrows in their own backyard.”
Not only was Kwem’s hat-trick the first for the 2023/24 season, but it was also the second fastest hat-trick in the PSL era. Moreover, he became the third ever player in the PSL era to come from the bench to bag a hat-trick.
Former Usuthu strikers, Gabadinho Mhango (2016) and Rhulani Manzini (2017) are credited with the same feat in 2016 and 2017 at Lamontville Golden Arrows and Chippa United, respectively.
Kwem’s goal tally now sits at four, joint fifth for the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season, an achievement he hopes will propel him and his fellow strike partners to greater heights.
“It’s nice that my strike partner Junior Dion also got a hat-trick against Arrows. It shows the level of support,” continued the Nigerian.
“The same way I was happy for him, is the same way he was happy for me. It’s us as a unit as strikers working together to make sure the team goes to a higher place in the log.”
AmaZulu’s next DStv Premiership clash is on 25 November, when they host Carling Knockout semi-finalists, Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
