Eastern Cape ref Qongqo in line for top PSL award
EASTERN Cape football referee Khulasande Qongqo was thrilled yesterday after he was nominated for the PSL 2014/15 Referee of the Season award.
This is the second year in a row that the man from Cofim- vaba has been nominated for the award, and he is confident that this time around, he will be the ultimate winner at the ceremony on Sunday.
Last year, Qongqo lost to provincial homeboy Zolile Mthetho, from Mthatha.
This time, though, Qongqo, who has only been refereeing in top-flight football for four years, is up against seasoned campaigners in Phillip Tinyani and Robert Smith.
“Look, I am up against highly experienced colleagues here, who have also been doing a good job, but I am confident this one is mine,” an over-themoon Qongqo said.
“But for me, just being nominated means the good job I have been doing is being recognised.”
Qongqo, 40, said he was pleased to be representing a small town like Cofimvaba and his village, eSeru, at national and international level. It was “truly an honour” to put the village on the map.
He said he would move on to other things when he reaches the age of 45.
Qongqo has been shortlisted, with other three officials, for a gig at the World University Championships in Korea at the beginning of July.
Nominated in the Assistant Referee of the Season category is Luvuyo Phuphuma who was born in the Eastern Cape but now lives in the Western Cape.
The full list of nominees is: Football of the season Tefu Mashamaite and Eric Mathoho (both Kaizer Chiefs), Cole Alexander (Polokwane City) Players’ player of the season Mashamaite, Mathoho, Teko Modise (Mamelodi Sundowns) Coach of the season Stuart Baxter (Chiefs), Pitso Mosimane (Sundowns), Kosta Papic (City) Young player of the season (under 21) Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits), Abbubaker Mobara, Rivaldo Coetzee (both Ajax Cape Town) Goalkeeper of the season Anssi Jaakola (Ajax), Patrick Tignyemb (Bloemfontein Celtic), Moeneeb Josephs (Wits) Defender of the season Mashamaite, Mathoho, Hlatshwayo (Wits) Midfielder of the season Modise, Alexander, Willard Katsande (Chiefs) Abso-lutely awesome goal Aubrey Ngoma (Mpumalanga Black Aces), David Zulu (Chippa United-Chiefs), Menzi Masuku (Orlando Pirates) MTN8 Last man standing Mandla Masango, Mashamaite, George
Thulani Maluleka (all Chiefs) Telkom Knockout Player of the tournament Thuso Phala, Dove Wome (both SuperSport United), Siyabonga Mpontshani (Platinum Stars-Orlando Pirates) Nedbank Cup Young player of the tournament Tashreeq Morris, Bantu Mzwakali, Riyaad Norodien (all Ajax Cape Town) Player of the tournament Morris, Modise, David Mathebula (SuperSport) Match officials Assistant referee of the season Peter Chauke, Zakhele Siwela, Luvuyo Phuphuma Referee of the season Phillip Tinyani, Kulasande Gqonqo, Robert Smith