Name your top December player
It’s time for Phakaaathi’s Player of the Month competition for December, where one lucky reader stands a chance to walk away with R350 in airtime. Phakaaathi’s writers have picked their candidates for the award, for their stunning performances across the South African game last month. All you have to do is pick your favourite and follow the rules in the advert on Page 9 for a chance to win. Good luck!
Maritzburg United striker Judas Moseamedi was definitely the star of the club during December where he managed to score some important goals for the Team of Choice. His goal-scoring form was one of the major reasons that propelled the KZN outfit into the final of the Telkom Knockout. It all started towards the end of November when he dissmantled Chiefs by scoring a brace in his team’s 2-1 victory in the TKO semifinal in Durban. But, it was during the month of December when Moseamedi continued with his sterling performance, especially against top sides as he scored in the final of the TKO against Mamelodi Sundowns, which they lost 2-1. The striker was once again in the thick of things in Maritzburg’s last game of 2019 when he tormented Chiefs by denying them a victory with an equaliser. He makes the cut for our Player-of-the-Month award. KEYWORD: MOSEAMEDI
Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango has been undoubtedly one of the best performers in the Bucs team in the last few weeks. Not only has the Malawian international been important in Bucs scoring, but he has been hugely involved in the team’s build-ups to their goals with his speed and dribbling making him one of the difficult players to mark. Mhango scored the Buccaneers’ two goals in their 3-1 victory against Black Leopards at the end of last year. The stalky striker has made himself a very important member and a key player in the Bucs squad who can any day carry the team on his shoulders. He has shown in some games he can rise above the rest to help Pirates back into a match like against Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout. He has already scored eight goals this season and gets a nomination for Phakaaathi Player-of-the-Month. KEYWORD: MHANGO
Samir Nurković has proven to be a great signing for Amakhosi in his first season in the Absa Premiership. The Serbian forward has been a thorn to opposition defenders with his enterprising runs in the final third as well as scoring match-winning goals. The 27-year-old has already scored one hattrick for the Naturena Glamour boys winning Man-of-the-Match accolades and cementing his place in coach Ernst Middendorp’s staring line- up. The striker’s height, speed and ability to score with his feet and head makes him a good signing for Chiefs and difficult to stop from scoring at will. The Serbian striker has formed a formidable partnership with Leonardo Castro and scored a total of eight league goals in 15 games. Nurkovic hasn’t won the Absa Premiership Player-of-theMonth award this season but Phakaaathi awards him for his consistency in December. KEYWORD: NURKOVIC
Gaston Sirino is the gift that keeps giving for Mamelodi Sundowns either in the form of setting up his team-mates to score or getting on the scoresheet himself. The skillful attacker was arguably Masandawana’s best player in the past month with his numerous assists even though he did not find the net. Sirino missed Sundowns’ first game of December because he was serving suspension, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he turned out for the Telkom Knockout on top form when Downs beat Maritzburg United 2-1. Sirino assisted in both goals which were scored by Uruguayan countryman Mauricio Affonso. The 28-year-old Sirino also played a key role in Sundowns’ slender 1-0 win over USM Algers in the Caf Champions League courtesy of a Hlompho Kekana goal. Sirino picked up an injury in that match but should return soon to pick up where he left off. KEYWORD: SIRINO