Moyo wins top coke award

Staff Writer | Monday June 27, 2011 00:00

 

The 22-year-old outclassed four other nominees in the category to walk home P20,000 richer. The champions (Gunners) dominated the nominees' list with Moyo, Ofentse Mmipi and Kemmy Pilato making the cut. Moyo has had a good season for the Lobatse side playing an important role in ending the team's 17-year title drought by winning the Coca-Cola Cup.  He definitely deserved the honour, having netted decisive goals in Mapantsula's road for glory. His extra-time strike sensationally knocked out favourites, Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the semi-final stage. Raphael Nthwane of Gunners was declared Goalkeeper of the Tournament, ahead of Segakolodi Ntima of losing finalists Motlakase Power Dynamos and Chiefs' Noah Maposa. Nthwane got P10,000 for winning the award.

As expected, six players shared equally the P15,000 top goal scorer's prize. Four of the players came from lower divisions. Sageby Sandaka (Chiefs), Sekhana Koko (Rollers), Molatlhegi Podile (Modipane United), Julius Fane (Peace Makers), Duncan Kgopolelo (Wonder Sporting) and Lewis Sekwainyana (Kanye Swallows) all netted four goals to tie for the award. In the Coach of the Tournament category, Motlakase's Boyo 'Oris' Radipotsane snatched the award, warding off competition from Maxwell Moyo of Gunners. Radipotsane did a splendid job, guiding the relegated Palapye side to the finals at the time when the club was struggling to maintain its status in the Premier League. Lekgotla Johannes won the Referee of the Season award while Moemedi Monakwana was named the Best Assistant Referee. In the media category, Frederick Kebadiretse and Kagiso Onkatswitse of The Monitor and Mmegi were named Best Sport Writer and Best Photographer respectively. In the electronic media section, Radio Botswana's Tiro Lepotokisi and Treasure Mothobi won Best Radio Commentator and Best Radio Presenter. It was announced just before the awards that the Best TV Commentator and Reporter were disqualified after contestants failed to beat the submission deadline.

The organising committee decided to use the prize money for the two categories to boost the kitty for the top goal scorer award.  Meanwhile yesteryears' soccer stars were honoured at the awards ceremony for the contribution they have made in the past in the country's oldest Premier Knockout Competition.

Former stars in the likes of Solomon Moipolai (Gunners 1992), Trigger Molelekwa (Rollers 1993), Desmond Molefe (Rollers 1994) and Naphtally 'Scara' Kebalepile (Gunner) are some of the players that received an honour from the organisers in the form of Coca-Cola branded formal jackets. Recent heroes emerging from the competition also joined the legends on stage for the honour.