Over the last month of the Betway Premiership, several players raised their hands to be counted among the best, with the league expected to announce the top performers who will be crowned Player of the Month and Coach of the Month for May/June.
Mamelodi Sundowns clinched their eighth consecutive league title two weeks ago when they beat Magesi FC 2-0 at Loftus Versveld Stadium courtesy of a brace from in-form Brazilian attacker, Lucas Ribeiro Costa. This was the Chloorkop-based side’s fifth game of the month, where they have collected 15 points winning all their matches. To put coach Miguel Cardoso’s side’s performance into perspective, they scored a staggering 13 goals in five games without conceding anything.
Hot in the heels of the star-studded Ka Bo Yellow was Orlando Pirates who played six games in that same period. May has been an eventful month for the Buccaneers as they were knocked out of the CAF Champions League semi-finals by Pyramids FC, lost the Nedbank Cup final against arch-rivals, Kaizer Chiefs and also saw their head coach, Jose Riveiro asking to be released from his contract before the end of the season. Despite all of that, Bucs maintained their second spot in the league, as they collected 12 out of a possible 18 points in the process.
Kaizer Chiefs played three league matches in the month of May, collecting only two points from two draws and a loss. The Naturena-based outfit has since failed to make the Top Eight, for the second consecutive season, which is the second time in the club’s rich history that this has happened. Coach Nasreddine Nabi will not be happy with his team’s league performance in his maiden season in charge of the Glamour Boys. His report card doesn’t inspire confidence from a coach who came highly recommended and someone the club tried hard to secure his signature. Chiefs only registered eight wins, eight draws and 12 losses in their 28 league matches played this season, collecting 32 points. In context, Amakhosi are only separated by six points from 15th-placed SuperSport United who, as things stand and pending the outcome of their abandoned match against Golden Arrows, will be going to the promotion/relegation Play-Offs. Amakhosi scored 25 goals and conceded 32 in the process.
Stellenbosch FC ensured that they go back to CAF inter-club football next season, when they retained their third spot on 48 points. Coach Steve Barker will look back on the season and say, “Mission accomplished!” although there is room for improvement. Stellies secured 10 points from their five matches in May and beat Sekhukhune United by two points to the CAF spot.
Players like Keletso Makgalwa, Daniel Msendami, Relebohile Mofokeng, Marcelo Allende and Lucas Ribeiro Costa are just some of the players who have raised their hand for recognition with their performances for their respective clubs.
With that brief summary of the month's performances, have a go at selecting your Team of the Month and see how close you get to the official Soccer Laduma selection.
