Top performers to be rewarded soon after final
Chakalisa Dube | Friday March 6, 2020 15:05
There has been a shift with the awards to be held soon after the final.
Each of the three players will be eager to make an impact in the final tomorrow in a bid to improve their chances of winning the award. Matsabu and Mosige are seen as the favourites for the top prize.
Mosige has been solid for Orapa at the back in the competition but Matsabu is tipped to walk away with the award. He has been impressive at right back for his side. He has been able to contribute both in attack and defence seamlessly down the right side.
Pundits believe that Cooper has been relatively average in the competition, which is why his nomination for the award came as a surprise.
Popa’s Kabelo Dambe, Orapa United goalkeeper, Lesenya Malapela and Tumisang Mashakola of BDF XI will battle it out for the goalkeeper of the tournament award. It is inevitable that both Malapela and Dambe will also be eager to impress in the final in a bid to improve their chances of winning the award.
Dambe’s role between the sticks in the competition has relatively been routine. This is so because Popa has been strong on defence.
On the other hand, Malapela might fancy his chances of winning the award. He has made some crucial interventions in the competition, especially in both legs of the semi final against Jwaneng Galaxy. He also made good stops against Security Systems in the first leg at Itekeng stadium.
BDF XI’s Mashakola has an outside chance of making it. He produced some key saves in the competition, especially in the second leg of the semifinal against Rollers. He cannot entirely be blamed for the goals conceded in the competition. But his team’s failure to progress in the competition might hurt his chances.
BDF XI coach, Letang Kgengwenyane, Teenage Mpote of Orapa United, and Popa’s Frank Nuttall will battle it out for the coach of the tournament award. However Kgengwenyane, after failing in the semi finals, stands little or no chance of winning.
For Nuttall and Mpote winning the cup would undoubtedly help make either of them to win the award. Mpote has an edge over Nuttall by virtue of having been on the bench in all games in the competition. Nuttall only came midway through the competition.
Other award nominees:
Referee of the tournament: Derrick Macks, Tshepo Gobagoba and Patrick Paramise.
Assistant Referee of the tournament: Benjamin Mankaunku, Sbusiso Monare and Tlolo Molefe.
Cash prizes
Number 1 Player: P55,000
Number 1 Yellow Boot: P35,000
Number 1 Safe Hands: P27,500
Number 1 Coach: P27,500
Number 1 Referee: P22,000
Number 1 Assistant Referee: P11,000