Four stars: who is your choice?
There were many fine performances in South African football in March, and here we give you, the reader, the opportunity to vote for your Phakaaathi Player-of-the-Month. Simply follow the rules of the competition below, pick one of these four candidates and you could win yourself R350 in airtime.
Joseph Molangoane
Petite yet efficient may just be the best way to describe Kaizer Chiefs winger Joseph Molangoane who has made his presence felt since joining the club late last year. Although they won just one of four matches in March, Molangoane was still influential and made Steve Komphela’s team tick. His silky touches always get the supporters excited and he became an instant hit with the fans after scoring in the famous Soweto derby against their deadly rivals Orlando Pirates. The 28-year-old was again on the scoresheet as he opened the scoring for Amakhosi in their comfortable 3-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC in a Nedbank Cup tie. His runs and crosses have made him the first option for Komphela, pushing the likes of William Twala and George Lebese to the bench. Molangoane has a cunning eye for goal and will be vital in the Naturena team’s push for the Absa Premiership title. KEYWORD: MOLANGOANE
Robert Ng’ambi
Platinum Stars’ Malawian attacking midfielder Robert Ng’ambi has been one of their most consistent performers over the last few seasons and in March he was in excellent form as Stars won both their league games as well as progressing to the next round of the Nedbank Cup and the Caf Confederation Cup respectively. Ng’ambi started off by finding the net in Stars’ 2-1 league victory at home to Chippa United, the playmaker also having a number of other efforts saved. The 30-year-old also scored Stars’ second goal in a 3-2 Nedbank Cup last-32 win at home to AmaZulu, and was a key man at the end of the month as Dikwena overturned a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to beat Vipers FC from Uganda 3-1 and make it to the play-off round for the Caf Confederation Cup group stages. Ng’ambi was credited in controlling the midfield in that match with the able support of Vuyo Mere. KEYWORD: NGAMBI
Buhle Mkhwanazi
Bhule Mkhwanazi probably gets less attention than his central defensive teammate at Wits, captain and Bafana Bafana stalwart Thulani Hlatshwayo. But the former Tuks defender has been in superb form this season, forming an intimidating partnership with Hlatshwayo which has helped Wits to continue to have one of the best defences in South Africa this season. In March, Wits conceded just two goals in five matches, one to Bloemfontein Celtic in a 3-1 win at the start of the month, and another to Al-Ahly in Cairo that ultimately proved decisive in their Caf Champions League encounter. Hlatshwayo was suspended for the second leg in Johannesburg, but Mkhwanazi was again superb as Wits kept Al-Ahly at bay, but just could not find a goal at the other end The 27-year-old has even contributed five goals for Wits this season, with one coming in March against Celtic. KEYWORD: MKHWANAZI
Jeremy Brockie
Jeremy Brockie has firmly established himself as Stuart Baxter’s leading man up front. He bounced back again after a slight loss of form to lead the line brilliantly for SuperSport in March. The Kiwi striker started the month with luck against him, as he had a goal dubiously ruled out for offside and a penalty for a foul on him was not given in a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates. But he bounced back to net a stoppage-time away goal against Al Ahly Shendy in the Caf Confederation Cup, and then bagged the winner in a tough Nedbank Cup last-32 game at KZN NFD side Royal Eagles to keep their hopes of defending their trophy very much alive. Brockie is an all-round team player as well as a goalscorer, shown in his six assists this season. One of these came in their last game in March, as Brockie set up Aubrey Modiba for his first goal for the club, in the second-leg hammering of Al Ahly Shendy. KEYWORD: BROCKIE