Downs Coaches Secure Third Successive Coach of the Month Award

Co-Coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena have been awarded the DStv Premiership Coaches of the Month award for December after steering The Brazilians to five wins, one draw and one loss during the festive month.

The award comes off the back of Masandawana’s busy December schedule which consisted of seven games in total, more games than any of the other teams in the league. Downs Co-Coaches, Mngqithi and Mokwena have claimed the award back-to-back and both expressed admiration for their players and support structures for their success.

“Thank you for the award, but the award belongs to the team. I must just congratulate the boys, the coaching staff, the support staff and all members of the technical team for making it possible for the team to continue achieving it’s targets.” Said Coach Manqoba.

“The coach of the month and the player of the month, those are individual awards that are a reflection of the success of the entire team. You get these awards because the team is winning, but the team wins because of the players and the rest of the support staff, therefore I’d like to extend also a huge congratulations to our support staff, the rest of the technical team which includes coach Steve Komphela, Coach Wendell Robinson for their contribution towards the success of the club. Our medical department, our conditioning, analysis department and senior management and the entire club because it reflects everybody’s contribution.” Added Coach Rulani.

Masandawana finished with 44 points at the top of the table, 14 points ahead of second placed Orlando Pirates. It was also during this festive period that the defending Champions tasted their first defeat in their defense title, a 1-0 loss against AmaZulu in their away encounter could not spoil their amazing start to the season, according to the coaches, the Yellow Nations troops went beyond and above in representing the club during a tough period in the football calendar.

“This is one cycle where we did not really have the best performances, we even dropped points. I think we dropped 5 points out of the 21 points that we were supposed to get and we only managed to get 16, but still it was a very good return. Thanks to everyone for making it possible, including the management, the board, the president of the club and the chairman for making the club have all the resources to be able to achieve what we have achieved.” Coach Manqoba applauded the team.

Coach Rulani echoed his Co-Coaches sentiments and said: “What makes the December period difficult is firstly the number of fixtures, we had nine fixtures leading up to the festive season, it was a very difficult period where the turnaround time was two or three days, some of the fixtures were not scheduled in the ‘normal’ sort of way (Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday). Sometimes we had fixtures on a Thursday or a Friday, this made it very difficult even from a psychological perspective.”

“The players responded very well to the demands, they adapted themselves really well from a psychological perspective and it was good to see that. They were very professional and they dealt with the festive season with utmost respect and dignity towards the club.”

After an incredible run in the first round of the 2021/22 season, Bafana Ba Style have staged one of the best performances in the DStv Premiership from all aspects of play to earn themselves trophies and individual awards. Midfielder Andile Jali received recognition for his hard work and beautiful display of football for the month of December and the coaches took a moment to sing him praise.

Coach Rulani said: “I think it’s well deserved. If you look at AJ, he’s been phenomenal, his level of consistency and his ability to play from a psychological perspective with the same engagement and attachment to the game, even after a very good performance has been exceptional. Giving performances where you are getting average ratings of 7 or 8 out of 10 for every single match this season, he needs to be given a lot of praise for the amount of hard work.”

Coach Manqoba then added: “It’s very fortunate for Andile to get this award, I believe the boy has worked tremendously well this season. He has been very focused in this season, he has given his heart to the team and he’s been a warrior in that midfield and gave everything.”