Rhulani Mokwena has claimed the February/March DStv Premiership Coach of the Month award after guiding Mamelodi Sundowns through the month unbeaten, while Iqraam Rayners marked his return to Stellenbosch FC from Gauteng by becoming the first player at the club to win the DStv Premiership Player of the Month for the same period.
Mokwena wins the accolade for the second time in succession this season after leading his side to two victories and a draw in three DStv Premiership matches, as Sundowns continued to stretch their lead atop the league standings.
The Brazilians kicked off the period with a 1-0 away win over Orlando Pirates, and followed that up by another success, a 5-1 thumping at home over Royal AM then played to a 1-1 draw away at Stellenbosch FC.
“Coach Mokwena deserves a lot of credit for how they’ve attacked their spell of league games during this period, by dominating their opponents while also busy with CAF Champions League football. They’ve been unstoppable and the way Mokwena has rotated his squad but still maintained the winning formula has been impressive to witness,” the judges commented.
The Soweto-born coach beat Steve Barker of Stellenbosch FC and SuperSport United’s Gavin Hunt to the award.
IQRAAM RAYNERS
The 27-year-old Iqraam Rayners has become the first Stellenbosch FC player to win the DStv Premiership Player of the Month award. The speedy forward produced 5 goals in 4 games during February/March. He marked his return to the Cape winelands with a bag full of goals which helped his side climb up the league table.
Rayners scored the winning goal in the 2-1 win against away at Chippa United. He then notched up a brace as Stellies beat Richards Bay 2-1 in Durban then followed up with an equalising goal in his side’s 1-1 draw against runaway leaders Sundowns at home. He was commended by the judges for his consistently outstanding performances in front of goals for the club.
Other candidates for the Player of the Month award for this period included Monnapule Saleng of Orlando Pirates and Sundowns’ forward Cassius Mailula.
For their awards, Mokwena together with Rayners will each receive a trophy and R7, 000 courtesy of league sponsors, DStv.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH/COACH OF THE MONTH
August
Melusi Buthelezi (TS Galaxy)
José Riveiro (Orlando Pirates)
September/October
Salim Magoola (Richards Bay F.C.)
Gavin Hunt (SuperSport United)
December/January
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Rhulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
February/March
Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC)
Rhulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Judges: Mathews Mpete (convenor, Daily Sun), Daniel Mothowagae (City Press), Mfanafuthi Ndlovu (Ilanga), Thabo Kofa (Lesedi FM), and Themba Tshabalala (Jozi FM)