Accolades for Royal AM duo
SECOND placed Royal AM will go into their league clash against TS Galaxy tomorrow with confidence after coach John Maduka and forward Mxolisi Macuphu were honoured with the coach of the month and player of the month awards by the PSL at a press conference in Durban yesterday afternoon.
Royal AM have been the league's biggest surprise package this season. The Durban club are on course to qualify for the CAF Champions League in what is their first season in the South African top flight.
Maduka told IOL Sport that the team is focused on ending the season on a high rather than Champions League qualification.
“We've got a plan and want to finish as high as possible this season. We don't really want to deviate and think about the Champions League. The technical team wanted a top eight finish.
“We have also now survived and cannot be relegated this season. Our target for now is not to ensure that we finish second but rather to focus on achieving our season plan,” said Maduka.
Royal AM won two out of their three games in all competitions in March and are unbeaten since the turn of the year. The last time they lost was when they were downed 1-0 by Baroka FC in December.
Maduka said that the coach of the month award is special to him, especially as it is the first one that he has achieved.
“It's special especially as it's the first one for me as a coach. It really means a lot to me.
“It has been a difficult time and the league has been difficult. We have been working hard to get to where we are.
“The players have been working very hard and credit must go to the technical team. I would like to thank the people that voted for me,” said Maduka.
In addition to shining in the league, Royal AM are still in the Nedbank Cup.
They will be among the favourites to reach the semi-final stage of South Africa's premier club competition when they host second-tier side University of Pretoria in their quarter final clash on Sunday, April 10.
With seven goals to his name in the league this season, Macuphu is the league's fourth highest scorer, behind Bienvenu Eva Nga (Chippa United), teammate Victor Letsoalo and Peter Shalulile.
Macuphu dedicated his player of the month award to Maduka.
“When you have someone like him (Maduka) leading you, things become easier.
“The players are close friends and the coach has put in a vision and created goals that we want to achieve,” said Macuphu.
The 32-year-old added that he would love to be called up for Bafana Bafana duty but is happy with the regular call-ups that his teammate Letsoalo has achieved.