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Best of the Absa Premiership season thus far

football03 April 2020 03:14| © Backpage TXT
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The 2019/20 Absa Premiership season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak just before we entered the business end of the campaign.

With the top-flight league having been brought to an unprecedented halt, we take a look at the best match, team and performers thus far.

Best Match - Kaizer Chiefs 5-3 Bloemfontein Celtic - 7 December 2019

Chiefs came into this match looking to extend their winning run to eight league matches at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, while Celtic were unbeaten in six league games.

It was end-to-end stuff from the first whistle and the score was 2-1 to Celtic just 25 minutes into the match with Ndumiso Mabena and Harris Tchilimbou netting for the visitors.

Samir Nurkovic grabbed a first-half brace just after the half-hour mark to make it 2-2 for Chiefs, but Siphelele Luthuli netted to ensure that Celtic led 3-2 at halftime.

Chiefs dominated the second-half with Nurkovic completing his hat-trick, while Leonardo Castro grabbed his brace and Luthuli scored his second goal which proved to be a consolation in an enthralling match.

"What a game! Once again, we showed our character. Okay, (the) first half was not like we expected as we prepared," Nurkovic said.

"it was a little bit difficult for us, but we fought like always. We continued with the same fighting spirit. We once again showed our fighting character."

Best Team - Kaizer Chiefs

Chiefs have been dominant thus far this season having recorded the most wins (15) and goals (40) which sees them at the top of the league standings.

The Soweto giants have won Q-Innovation Quarter one and Quarter two - beating the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, on both occasions

Amakhosi also sent a statement of intent when they recorded their eighth win in a row against Celtic last December and they are determined to end their five-year trophy drought this season.

Top Coach - Ernst Middendorp

The experienced coach has transformed Kaizer Chiefs into serious Absa Premiership title contenders after the team endured a disappointing 2018/19 season.

Middendorp made history when he became the first coach to win the league's Coach of the Month award three consecutive times in December.

The former Maritzburg United coach is now seen as an early contender for the Coach of the Season with his side left with eight matches in the league.

Red Hot Youngster - Sipho Mbule

The attacking midfielder has been a revelation under coach Kaitano Tembo at SuperSport United in the current campaign.

Mbule, who is part of the South Africa under-23 squad, has netted three goals in 23 league matches thus far and he is a serious contender for the Young Player of the Season.

The 22-year-old playmaker was named PSL Player of the Month as a reward for his excellent displays during the month of November.

"Sipho is the most talented in our midfield. We have given him a target this season. He’s got to come out. He’s got to play regularly," Tembo said.

“He wasn’t really serious in terms of looking after himself physically. This season he has come back with a changed mindset because we’ve got the three – him, (Jamie) Webber and Teboho Mokoena fighting for one position."

Safe Hands - Daniel Akpeyi

The Nigeria international and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper has enjoyed his best season between the sticks since he arrived in the country in 2015.

Akpeyi has kept nine clean sheets from 19 league matches and he has kept one of the greatest PSL goalkeepers of all-time, Itumeleng Khune, on the bench.

Akpeyi was named Player of the Month for September and October 2019, and there is no doubt that he will be nominated for the Goalkeeper of the Season award.

Outstanding Player - Lebogang Manyama

The Bafana Bafana midfielder-cum-striker has been one of the most consistent players in the league this season as a pillar of strength in the Kaizer Chiefs team.

Manyama has managed to display his ability to score and create goals having recorded the most assists (eight) in the league and netted six goals for the Glamour Boys.

Many have tipped the former Cape Town City captain for the Footballer of the Season accolade having already won the award in 2017.

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