The historic rise of the North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute into professional football has earned another milestone after captain Aphelele Sibisi was named the 2026 North West Sport Star of the Year at the 10th North West Sports Awards held at the Sun City Superbowl on Saturday, 1 August 2026.
The award, determined through a public vote, was in recognition of his performances and leadership during the first half of the season.
Aphelele's award caps a landmark year for both the player and the university after he captained the NWU FC through the ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs to promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, securing the first-ever place for the institution in South African professional football. Earlier this year, he was also selected for the Sports Star of the Year public vote category alongside some of the leading athletes in the province.
Receiving the top public-voted sporting honour in the province, Aphelele thanked supporters from across North West and beyond.
"I am truly grateful to have received the 2026 North West Sport Star of the Year award. Thanks to the Almighty God. This achievement means a lot to me and my NWU family, so I would like to thank everyone who took their time to vote for me and support me,” he said.
"A special thank you to the NWU students, the Mahikeng community, everyone across North West and my people back home in eMandeni for always believing in me and showing me so much love and support.
"This award is not only mine; it belongs to everyone who has been part of my journey."
The award adds to an impressive season for the NWU captain, who has played a key role in the football programme at the university under coach Nkululeko Malgas. His leadership helped guide the team through the national playoffs before earning promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, where the university will compete for the first time in the 2026/27 season.
The North West Sports Awards, presented by the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation in partnership with the North West Sports Confederation, celebrated their 10th anniversary this year. The awards honour athletes, coaches, teams and administrators who have contributed to sport in the province.
Aphelele's victory also capped a successful evening for the university, which was among the institutions with the strongest representation at the awards this year after receiving nominations across athletics, football and coaching categories.
NWU soccer captain Aphelele Sibisi was named the 2026 North West Sport Star of the Year at the 10th North West Sports Awards.
