Absa
Premiership log leaders Kaizer Chiefs were recognised for their consistency
throughout the third quarter of the season as goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and
head coach Stuart Baxter were named the Absa Premiership Player and Coach of
Quarter 3.
Baxter
has led Kaizer Chiefs through an impressive period in Q3 as the Amakhosi
collected 18 points from the 8 matches played. Chiefs were however pushed all
the way by a resurgent Moroka Swallows outfit who amassed 17 points from the 8
matches. After much deliberation the judging panel decided that Baxter had done
enough to be named Absa Premiership Coach of Q3 winning R15 000 for his
efforts.
Absa
Sponsorship Manager Steward Masela highlighted Kaizer Chiefs consistency when
the winners were announced saying, “Consistency deserves to be rewarded and
that’s why I congratulate both Itumeleng Khune and Stuart Baxter on winning the
Absa Premiership Player and Coach of Q3. We now look forward to an eagerly
anticipated Q4.”
The
name of Swallows coach Zeca Marques was also discussed at length, where many of
the judges in attendance believed Marques deserved to be recognised for turning
around the fortunes of the Beautiful Birds. Moroka Swallows finished Q2 bottom
of the Absa Premiership standings having collected a solitary point. The
judging panel felt Marques should be commended for guiding the club into the upper
half of the Absa Premiership table with ambitions of a top four finish very
much on the agenda. Also receiving
notable mentions were Clive
Barker for the role he has played at Bidvest Wits and Craig Rosslee for
steering AmaZulu away from the dreaded relegation zone.
Goalkeeper
Itumeleng Khune scooped the R15 000 for winning the Absa Premiership Player of
Q3 and was largely recognised by the judging panel for being the standout
performer. Khune was instrumental in the successful run Kaizer Chiefs put
together and the club kept four clean-sheets and conceding just four times, out
of the eight matches played. Judges felt Khune played a dual role for his team,
not only through his performances in goal, but he also set up a number of
attacks through his distribution. .
The
judging panel discussed a number of players through the session with Khune’s
teammate Siphiwe Tshabalala featuring regularly. Tshabalala was commended for
his resurgence in form and versatility and for playing a vital role for the club
this season. Free State Stars midfielder Luyolo Nomandela and Moroka Swallows
recent acquisition Larry Cohen also received mentions for their contributions
throughout Q3.
