Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane and Orlando Pirates winger Thembinkosi Lorch win Absa Premiership awards
JOBURG – Coach of the Month for February goes to Sundowns' Pitso Mosimane while Player of the Month goes to Orlando Pirates' Thembinkosi Lorch.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane and Orlando Pirates’ on-form winger Thembinkosi Lorch emerged as the winners of the Absa Premiership Coach of the Month and Player of the Month respectively for February.
Lorch (25), who has come close to snatching the award on numerous occasions in the previous months of this premiership campaign, finally got his maiden honour owing to his tremendous display for his club in the month in question.
‘Jingles’, as Mosimane is known as since his playing days at SuperSport United, was selected the best coach of the month following the club’s impressive run of form which saw them go atop the Absa Premiership standings at the end of February, a period where they gathered eight points.
The judging panel for the monthly awards praised the former Bafana Bafana mentor for his incredible skill and impressive management of his star-studded team as well as finding the right balance for his squad during a frantic period, which saw them juggle between playing in the domestic league and continental club football.
Masandawana enjoyed big wins over Black Leopards and Cape Town City, collected a point each away at title challenging rivals Bidvest Wits and when they hosted Polokwane City, after suffering their first loss of the season to AmaZulu in late January.
Chippa United’s Clinton Larsen and Kaitano Tembo of SuperSport United were close on the heels of Mosimane in getting the award. They were both praised for the brilliant work produced at their respective teams during February.
Lorch, on the other hand, stood head and shoulders above his colleagues and contenders for the player award. Players such as Lebogang Maboe of Mamelodi Sundowns, Chippa United’s Gladwin Shitolo and Cape Town City captain Thamsanqa Mkhize were nominated for their impressive efforts.
Mosimane and Lorch each received R5 000 from Absa, sponsors of the premiership. The judging panel consisted of Farouk Khan (convenor), Marks Maponyane, Phumudzo Manenzhe, Reggie Ndlovu, Julia Stuart, Thato Moeng, Arnold Rankoko and Duane De’locca.
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