Middendorp emulates Pitso as Akpeyi nets PSL monthly award

Kaizer Chiefs attacker Lebogang Manyama was in the reckoning for the Absa Premiership monthly award but he was beaten to the September/October gong by his teammate and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

Also in the running for the accolade was AmaZulu striker Bonginkosi Ntuli, the league’s joint leading scorer with seven goals.

However, it was a Chiefs clean sweep when the PSL revealed the latest winners of the monthly award at its headquarters in Parktown on Thursday, with Amakhosi head coach Ernst Middendorp named the best tactician.

The coaches’ award was the second in succession for Middendorp as he emulated the feat achieved by his Mamelodi Sundowns rival Pitso Mosimane three years ago.

The German was rewarded for guiding Amakhosi to four straight wins during the period under review.

Chiefs’ victories came against AmaZulu (2-0), Baroka FC (1-0), Golden Arrows (2-0) and Sundowns (2-0).

All these results came at the back of Chiefs’ 1-0 defeat to Polokwane City on September 14, which remains Amakhosi’s only league loss so far this season.

In his acceptance statement, Middendorp lauded “the work done by the technical team” and in particular reserved special praise for his assistant Shaun Bartlett and goalkeeper coach Lee Baxter.

Baxter’s charge Akpeyi kept four clean sheets in the five games.

The judging panel also commended the Nigerian international keeper for having improved key elements to his game such as positioning, communication and shot-stopping.

Akpeyi and his coach each received R5 000 for their efforts.

Meanwhile, Chiefs regained their 10-point lead atop the Premiership standing following their 4-0 demolition of Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Although they have a game in hand, defending champions Sundowns are placed second on the log standings.

Amakhosi will next face Bloemfontein Celtic on December 7.

	Daniel Mothowagae Deputy sports editor City Press p: +27 11 713 9587 w: www.citypress.co.za  e: Daniel.Mothowagae@citypress.co.za
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