City’s Lebogang Manyama in line for a hat-trick of awards
THREE club captains – striker Lebogang Manyama of Cape Town City, Mamelodi Sundowns anchorman Hlompho Kekana and defender Thulani Hlatshwayo of Wits – have all been nominated for the Footballer of the Season award, the Premier Soccer League has announced.
Manyama also clinched the PSL Golden Boot with 13 goals.
The awards ceremony will be held on July 10 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
The full list was only released after SuperSport United thrashed Orlando Pirates 4-1 in the final of the Nedbank Cup in Durban on Saturday.
“This is such a huge boost for the national team,” said Kekana.
“We always talk about taking responsibility when we are in Bafana camp and to see three captains, who are all South African, being nominated for this award means it will obviously rub off at that level.
“I think Lebo and Thulani have shown great character at the clubs, and I am equally as excited because it is the second year in a row that I find myself on that list.”
Kekana was one of three nominees last year for player of the year – he was competing for the accolade with Sundowns teammates Keagan Dolly and eventual winner Khama Billiat.
“I feel I am already a winner,” the Sundowns skipper said.
“I say that because it is very difficult to get recognition for the position that I play, and when you get this nomination you realise someone is watching and appreciating. I am inspired to do more.”
Manyama, whose name pops up again in the Players’ Player of the Season category, is undoubtedly the favourite after he showed consistency and missed just one league game for City throughout the season as Eric Tinkler’s side finished third behind Wits and Sundowns. Tinkler, unsurprisingly, is also nominated for Coach of the Season and goes up against Gavin Hunt of Wits and Pitso Mosimane of Sundowns.
Hlatshwayo, too, was steady and reliable, although he did miss a couple of games through injury, but bounced back just in time to help the Clever Boys get over the line and clinch the club’s first ever championship in their 96-year existence.