Mascom awards expected to be GU affair
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Wednesday June 3, 2015 18:00
The team has four players nominated, while their coach, Rahman Gumbo has also been nominated for the coach of the season award.
GU is already assured of a top goal scorer award, which has been won by Benson Shilongo. The Namibian striker scored five goals in the competition to beat Segolame Boy of Township Rollers, who scored four goals. He will walk away with P30, 000.
There is a fierce battle for the most prestigious award, player of the tournament, which is contested by Goitseone Phoko, Alphonse Modisaotsile and Boy. Both Modisaotsile and Phoko were instrumental in their team’s success and led GU to the title. Phoko almost single handedly denied Nico United progression into the final with his fine saves in the second leg. He also made crucial saves in the dying minutes of the final encounter against Rollers to deny them an equaliser. Modisaotsile has been credited with keeping Rollers’ dangerous player, Boy out of the game in the final. Boy on the other hand, despite being anonymous in the final, helped Rollers reach the last stage of the competition with his goals.
The winner will pocket a whooping P50, 000. Phoko will also contest for the goalkeeper of the tournament award, which carries P25, 000. He has been nominated alongside Noah Maposa of Township Rollers and Edwin Mokibe of Nico United. His coach, Gumbo is expected to scoop the best coach of the tournament award. He is contesting for the award with former Rollers coach, Madinda Ndlovu, as well as former BDF XI mentor, Letang Kgengwenyane. The winner takes home P25, 000.
There is tight contest in the referee and assistant referee’s awards which each carry prize money of P15, 000. Tirelo Mositwane, Joshua Bondo and Kutlwano Leso are contesting for the referee of the tournament award, while Bakwena Simankalele, Kitso Sibanda and Meshack Medupi battle for the assistant referee of the tournament. Meanwhile, preparations for next season have already started at some Premier League teams with a busy transfer window expected. Rollers, who finished the season without a silverware, despite having a promising start have already announced the departure of some players.
This week, they confirmed that they have parted ways with midfielder Dirang Moloi who is said to have requested for his release through a Whatsapp message. Moloi is currently attending trials in Asia together with another Rollers midfielder, Lesego Molemogi. Rollers have also agreed to let goalkeeper, Michael Pepukani move at his request. Midfielder Godfrey Ngele, whose career at Rollers was plagued by injuries, has also been released as well as Pako Lekgari. The club has been linked with experienced midfielder, Mogogi Gabonamong, who was recently released by South African side, Bloemfontein Celtic.
BDF XI on the other hand are also ringing changes with Master Masitara, Vincent Nzombe, Lesego Lundinda, Moreetsi Mosimanyana and James Moloi all shown the exit door. Matebele are now under the tutelage of Louis Setshwane, who took over from Kgwengwenyane just before the season ended.