Stars who put their hands up

It’s Phakaaathi Player-of-the-Month time again, as we pick the four players that stood out with superb performances for their clubs in the month of March. There were some stunning displays as Orlando Pirates continued their resurgence and Cape Town City also shone, while Mamelodi Sundowns and Maritzburg United continued to impress. Pick your favourite from the four nominations below, and you could walk away with R350 in airtime. Good luck! Thembinkosi Lorch

One of the in-form players in the Orlando Pirates squad, Thembinkosi Lorch has really shown what he can do in the second part of this season since making his first start in January against Platinum Stars. The winger has made a particularly notable contribution for the Buccaneers. His contribution has been key to the Buccaneers staying on the heels of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with only one point separating them heading into this week’s matches. Lorch started the month of March by scoring Pirates’ opening goal in the Soweto derby, as Bucs beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-1. The 24-year-old also scored in Pirates 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows on March 17 to take his tally to four this season, which comes with four assists to his name in all competitions so far. He earned a place in the senior national team set-up after he was called up for the Four Nations tournament in Zambia by coach Stuart Baxter recently.

KEYWORD: LORCH

Andrea Fileccia

It is not only because he scores crucial goals that Andrea Fileccia is an important player at Maritzburg United, but also that he combines well with his midfielders and is able to hold the ball and create space for attacking midfielders like Mokate Mohau and Siphesihle Ndlovu to have shots at goal. The 26-year-old Belgian striker has filled the gap left by Evans Rusike’s departure to SuperSport United and Fadlu Davids can hardly complain. Coming from a difficult long-term injury, Davids was wary of relying on Fileccia as he felt he needed to be eased in gradually to the team but the Belgian has proved he can be the go-to man for goals. His goals have taken the Team of Choice to the semifinals in the Nedbank Cup. He scored the winner with a first-touch volley on Saturday as Maritzburg knocked Blomefontein Celtic out of Ke Yona, to complete an excellent March for the player.

KEYWORD: FILECCIA

Sibusiso Vilakazi

It hasn’t always been plain-sailing for Sibusiso Vilakazi since he joined Mamelodi Sundowns in a high-profile transfer from Bidvest Wits in 2016. The talented attacker certainly could have contributed more goals to the Masandawana cause, but the signs are that this is starting to change. Vilakazi had an excellent March in the colours of Sundowns, starting off with a decisive brace in a 3-1 league win at AmaZulu, doubling his tally for the season in the Absa Premiership. Vilakazi then also netted in the Caf Champions League 2-0 win at home to Rayon Sports, a result that earned Sundowns a place in the Champions League group stages for the third successive year. If Vilakazi can continue to contribute in the final couple of months of the campaign, then Sundowns, with all the other attacking talent also at their disposal, will surely be well-placed to pick up a league and cup double.

KEYWORD: VILAKAZI

Ayanda Patosi

It is safe to say that Ayanda Patosi hasn’t always been in coach Benni McCarthy’s good books since the pair came together at Cape Town City at the start of this season. Patosi has, however, contributed pretty well in his first campaign in the Absa Premiership – he is the top scorer at the club with five goals from attacking midfield, and has the second-most assists (four). Patosi rifled in a cracking goal at the start of March in a 2-0 league win at home to Chippa United, and added another as City scored a fine win over high-flying Orlando Pirates in the last-16 of the Nedbank Cup. McCarthy, meanwhile was perhaps left to rue his decision as Patosi was left on the bench for a defeat at home to Mozambican side Costa do Sol, which saw City crash out of the Caf Confederation Cup. Either way, Patosi thoroughly deserves his nomination for the Phakaaathi Player-of-theMonth award.

KEYWORD: PATOSI