WeeklySA_AdminSTEELY RESOLVE: Positive, uncompromising attitude propelled Downs to dizzy heights
MAMELODI Sundowns’ persistence and consistency in going for the jugular every time they faced their opponents, even long after snatching the League title for the fourth time in a row, yielded great results at the end.
Throughout the season, co-head coach Manqoba Mngqithi would be unfailingly heard – stern-faced – to urge his team to take every match serious. This as if they had not won the DStv Premiership title already.
However, it has emerged that that positive attitude, especially before their last-away fixture out in Mangaung against Bloemfontein Celtic, has not only helped them to a PSL record of no defeat in all their away-matches, but also benefitted them points in CAF club rankings.
Sundowns are now third on the continent’s rankings having collected 1 580, based on an update released just after the June 6 2021 matches. No doubt Mngqithi’s uncompromising, “go for the jugular” resolve worked wonders. It also, without doubt, not only made the Masandawana tribe proud and happy, but Mzansi as a whole.
The CAF Top-5 clubs include Egypt’s usual suspects, Al Ahly with 1 712 points; Esperance (Tunisia) 1 605 points; Sundowns; El Zamalek (Egypt) 1 575 points; and TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 1 571 points.
The next local side after The Brazilians in the first hundred positions is Orlando Pirates at the 20th spot with 1461 points, strangely though followed by the non-existent Bidvest Wits with position 22nd with 1451 points; Kaizer Chiefs at 45th with 1 414 points; SuperSport United 52nd with 1 404 points; AmaZulu 84th with 1 368 points; and Lamontville Golden Arrows 98th , with 1 361 points.
Lessons to be learned here for other coaches and their teams is to “treat every match like a Cup final” as that could influence your rankings, more because highest CAF club rankings have over decades been dominated by northern and west African sides.
Continuing on the postive side of things for local football, much against heavy odds compounded by Covid-19 hurdles, our Bafana Bafana managed to salvage a 3-2 win against Uganda’s Cranes at Orlando Stadium on Thursday.
Due to the current pandemic, it was expected that new coach Hugo Broos would not be available as he had to go back home in Belgium, for his scheduled second vaccination. And his Macedonian first-assistant Cedomir Janevski was to take charge in his absence. Janevski was to be on the bench with second-assistant coach Helman “Midnight Express” Mkhalele.
But as fate would have it, Percy Tau was one of the key players that were withdrawn from the team due to testing positive for Covid-19, and soon followed out of the camp by Janevski for the same reason. This looming situation, as could be expected, started a media speculation that the match could be called off.
Thankfully, though, it was not to be as Mkhalele was tasked to take over the reins and delivered on the mandate by winning the match – friendly or not – to the delight of local fans.
Following are the winners announced at the 2021 PSL Awards on June 6.
FULL WINNERS
PSL Footballer of the Season – Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Player’s Player of the Season – Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Coach of the Season – Benni McCarthy (AmaZulu FC)
DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season (under 21) – Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC)
DStv Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season – Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Defender of the Season – Njabulo Ngcobo (Swallows FC)
DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season – Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Goal of the season – Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United)
DStv Premiership Top Goalscorer: – Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United)- 16 Goals
MTN 8
MTN8 Last Man Standing – Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates)
NEDBANK Cup
Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player (Under 23) – Khanyisa Mayo (Richards Bay)
Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament – Washington Arubi (Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila)
DSTV DISKI CHALLENGE REWIRED
DStv Diski Challenge Rewired Player of the Tournament – Siyanda Nyanga (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Diski Challenge Rewired Top Goal Scorer/s
– Taahir Goedeman (Cape Town City)- 6 goals
– Kamohelo Hoala (Kaizer Chiefs)- 6 goals
– Asanda Buthelezi (Maritzburg United)- 6 goals
– Boitumelo Radiopane (Orlando Pirates)- 6 goals
PSL CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
– Isilo Samabandla, King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu
– General Bantu Holomisa – psl.co.za/wsam
