The tenth month of the year started on a high note for the ten-time league winners. The new technical team was announced, with Coach Manqoba Mngqithi and Coach Rulani Mokwena being announced as joint Head Coaches with Coach Steve Komphela being named the first team’s senior coach.
With the 2020/21 season approaching, Masandawana announced new signings. The incoming recruits include Aubrey Modiba, Kermit Erasmus, Jody February, Grant Margeman,Khuliso Mudau and Nyiko Mobbie who returned to the club after a season-long loan to Stellenbosch.
The Premier Soccer League announced the nominees for the end of the season awards and Masandawana was well represented on the list. On the day of the event, the likes of Keletso Makgalwa, Gaston Sirino, Hlompho Kekana and Themba Zwane walked away with awards. Mshishi was the biggest winner of the night as he walked away with the Midfielder of the Season, Player’s Player of the Season and the much coveted, Footballer of the Season award.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team players were rewarded for their great season too. Andile Dlamini, Karabo Makhurubetshi, Lebogang Mabatle, Karabo Dhlamini, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Oratile Mokoena and Chantelle Esau were selected to do duty for the National team in the COSAFA Cup which will be held in Port Elizabeth.
The new season officially kicked off with the MTN 8 clash against Bloemfontein Celtic at Lucas Moripe Stadium. The eight-team cup has eluded Masandawana for thirteen years and the boys went out to salvage that but ended up falling short as they lost by a goal to nil. Next up was a league clash with Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium and the Brazilians came out triumphant in that clash with a three-zero victory, with new signings Peter Shalulile and Kermit Erasmus finding the back of the net for the first time in Mamelodi Sundowns colours. A visit by TTM was to follow in the DSTV Premiership and a goalless draw was the result between the two sides.
Sphelele Mkhulise and Themba Zwane shared their stories about the club, Mshishi spoke about how a legend like Surprise Moriri inspired him and that he also wants to win more trophies and become a legend of the club. Academy graduate Mkhulise spoke about how he moved from being a ball boy for the likes of Tebogo Langerman, Wayne Arendse, Hlompho Kekana and Kennedy Mweene to sharing the dressing room with them as a senior team player.
After months on the sidelines, Thapelo Morena returned to playing as he was named in the starting eleven after successfully recovering from an injury he sustained against SuperSport United.
Motjeka Madisha, Andile Jali, Themba Zwane, Kermit Erasmus and Lyle Lakay made the final selection for Bafana Bafana and they will be doing duty for the country in the AFCON Qualifier against SAO Tome.
Sibusiso Vilakazi spoke about why he changed his jersey number and the reason for the new number for the season, he explained how the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant had an impact in his life as a sportsman.
Rivaldo Coetzee shared his feeling on how he adapted to a positional change and how he wants to win trophies and rewrite the club’s history. The last action for the month for Masandawana was the announcement of Brian Onyango as a Brazillian after signing a three-year deal with a two-year renewal option.
