Aphiwe Mbata wrests the Free State title from Khahliso Malape.

Aphiwe Mbata (HTS Sasolburg) is now ranked 3rd in the country.

On 23 June 2018, Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) held its 15th Free State Provincial Championships for the FIFA '18 esports title.

Even though Khahliso Malape (Fakkel School of Skills) was going to play in the Protea Esports Team in the test match against Namibia in the afternoon, Khahliso entered the Free State Championships as a warm-up.

However, the real star of the show was Aphiwe Mbata (HTS Sasolburg) who played his heart out, and won 4 out of the 5 rounds that he played. The only game that he lost was to Khahliso Malape in the first round of the championships.

Nevertheless, Aphiwe is determined to win the SA School Championships to be hosted by Fakkel School of Skills on 28 and 29 July 2018 in order to establish himself as the man to beat.

Aphiwe has also now qualified for MSSA's 2019 National Team Trials, and has made his intentions quite clear as to his Protea Team aspirations.

The rankings for the FIFA esports title are now:

Pos	Name of Player	year	Club	Points
1	Khahliso Malape (18)	18	Fakkel School of Skills	387.5
2	Mpho Ntsala	18	Fakkel School of Skills	376.3
3	Aphiwe Mbata	18	HTS Sasolburg	372
4	Lesego Molatsi	18	Fakkel School of Skills	242.1
5	Mathew Brooks	18	Curro Klerksdorp	236.4
6	Thapelo Sizani	18	North West University - Vaal	227.7
7	Henry Colin	18	Fakkel School of Skills	226
8	Gao Masilo	18	Fakkel School of Skills	185.8
9	Thabo Maqubela	18	North West University - Vaal	182.3
10	Lesego Direko	18	Fakkel School of Skills	179.1
11	Mqandisi Dewa	18	North West University - Vaal	168
12	Bongikosi Lukhele	18	Ampified Rebellion	164.2
13	Dylan Mugadza	18	North West University - Vaal	156.7
14	Franco J v Rensburg	17	JCS Academy	150
15	Tuni Mahlakwaane	18	North West University - Vaal	148.7
16	Tetelo Hamese	18	North West University - Vaal	148.5
17	Gordon McCormack	18	JCS Academy	148.4
18	Dylan Motukana	18	North West University - Vaal	139.9
19	Mduduzi Msiza	18	North West University - Vaal	137.7
20	Lehlohondo Motsie	18	North West University - Vaal	133.4
21	Thokosane Mtinane	18	Fakkel School of Skills	128.1
22	Thokozane Matimane	18	Fakkel School of Skills	121.8
23	Hoya Gangi	17	Maritzburg College	120
24	Odwa Mthethwa	17	Maritzburg College	120
25	Ndumiso Zakwe	17	Maritzburg College	120
26	Xola Magwaza *	17	Knights Mind Sports Club	120
27	Tshepo Seema	17	North West University - Vaal	120
28	Vhugala Malaudzi	17	North West University - Vaal	120
29	Gregory Haripersad	17	Maritzburg College	120
30	Yorke Soni	17	Northcliff High School	120
31	Ayanda Magwaza *	17	Knights Mind Sports Club	120
32	Kyle Turnbull	17	BNKR	120
33	Joshua Williams	17	Northcliff High School	120
34	Mikhyle Naidoo	17	Northcliff High School	120
35	Mongaliso Magwaza *	17	Knights Mind Sports Club	120
36	Nsika Mfeka	17	Maritzburg College	120
37	Jade Appels	17	Curro Klerksdorp	120
38	Langa Madonsela *	17	Knights Mind Sports Club	120
39	Allen Magagula	17	HTS Witbank	120
40	Katlego Sediti	17	North West University - Vaal	120
41	Armand Oosthuizen	17	JCS Academy	120
42	Conor Kisbey-Green	17	Maritzburg College	120
43	Tumelo Sesinyi	17	Curro Klerksdorp	120
44	Zomani Magagula	17	HTS Witbank	120
45	Cale Barry	17	Uplands College	120
46	Ebrahiem Fredericks	17	JCS Academy	120
47	Ruben Du Preez	17	Maritzburg College	120
48	Kgosi Tshosa	17	Curro Klerksdorp	120
49	Eesa Fredericks	17	JCS Academy	120
50	Mark Morobane	17	Curro Klerksdorp	120
51	Joost Loftus	17	Masters of Mind Sports	120
52	Xolisa Monakali	17	Knights Mind Sports Club	120
53	Langa Madonsela	16	Knights Mind Sports Club	120
54	Richard Ferreira	16	Fakkel School of Skills	120
55	Jolene Bico	16	BNKR	120
56	Leonard Loftus	16	Masters of Mind Sports	120
57	Matthew Hoyle	16	Maritzburg College	120
58	Tshepo Mamatela	17	Fakkel School of Skills	119.5
59	Kristian Volek	17	Northcliff High School	117.5
60	Sibusiso Nabilevo	16	Fakkel School of Skills	117
61	Stefan Nortje	17	JCS Academy	116.8
62	Morena Velaphe	18	Fakkel School of Skills	116.7
63	Korben Roos	16	HTS Witbank	115.1
64	Mpume Mkonza	17	Maritzburg College	115.1
65	Jan Hendrik Van Aswegen	16	BNKR	113.1
66	Wandile Khumalo	18	Northcliff High School	111.5
67	Jacobus Direko	16	Fakkel School of Skills	110.4
68	Mayibongwe Ntabe	16	BNKR	110.3
69	Fortune D’ntloilery	18	North West University - Vaal	110
70	Paul Minaar	18	ESBF	108.5
71	Kamohelo Tladi	16	Fakkel School of Skills	107.3
72	Teboho Hlasa	16	Fakkel School of Skills	107.1
73	Cameron Gold	16	Maritzburg College	106.4
74	Tshedz Masheleni	16	Masters of Mind Sports	106
75	Ayanda Khumalo	18	Fakkel School of Skills	104.5
76	Joel Van Wyk	17	Merchiston	104.2
77	Jabu Matlong	17	North West University - Vaal	104
78	Kopano Segoe	18	Curro Klerksdorp	101.9
79	Nthando Phaketi	18	Fakkel School of Skills	100.8
80	Reginald Mofokeng	16	Fakkel School of Skills	100
81	Tumi Mohosho	16	Fakkel School of Skills	100
82	Bongwe Mpugwa	17	Curro Klerksdorp	100
83	Neo Mokoena	16	Fakkel School of Skills	99.3
84	Mulchathutshelo Masheleni	16	Masters of Mind Sports	97.7
85	Riufaro Kembo	17	Curro Klerksdorp	95
86	Dillon Grey	17	Fakkel School of Skills	95
87	Franco Janse van Rensburg	17	Masters of Mind Sports	95
88	Pauliso Makhube	17	Fakkel School of Skills	95
89	Thabo Kgobe	18	Northcliff High School	95
90	Leoné Loftus	17	Fakkel School of Skills	92.7
91	Jason Botha	16	Maritzburg College	90
92	Gift Mtlhong	17	JCS Academy	90
93	Kopano Masego	18	Curro Klerksdorp	89.2
94	Lesedi Motale	18	Curro Klerksdorp	86
95	Ayanda Kumalo	17	Fakkel School of Skills	85.5
96	Logan Ortner	16	Northcliff High School	85
97	Robyn Gertzen	17	Teutonic Knights Mind Sports Club	85
98	Alessandro Sacca	17	Curro Klerksdorp	85
99	Doreen Els	17	Teutonic Knights Mind Sports Club	80
100	Cameron Gold	17	Maritzburg College	80
101	Umar Onafuwa	18	Curro Klerksdorp	79.4
102	S Ndlela	17	Maritzburg College	75
103	Ru-Landie Kilian	18	Affies Sasolburg	75
104	Leoné Loftus	18	Fakkel School of Skills	75

Other official rankings produced by MSSA are as follows:

• Senior Ancients Wargames
• Senior Checkers
• Senior CounterStrike: GO
• Senior DotA 2
• Senior FIFA '18
• Senior HearthStone
• Senior Injustice 2
• Senior League of Legends (female)
• Senior League of Legends
• Senior Morabaraba
• Senior Mortal Kombat X
• Senior Pro Evolution Soccer (PES)
• Senior StarCraft II
• Senior Street Fighter V
• Senior Tekken 7 (female)
• Senior Tekken 7
• Schools CounterStrike: GO
• Schools DotA 2
• Schools FIFA
• Schools HearthStone
• Schools League of Legends