Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has become the first coach to win the Absa Premiership Coach of the Month award three consecutive times.
In what has been a near perfect start to the 2019/20 Absa Premiership season, Kaizer Chiefs has carried on from where they left off at the end of October maintaining a 100% winning record in the three matches they played in November.
The 61-year old Middendorp was joined on stage at the Premier Soccer League offices by 21-year old Sipho Mbule of SuperSport United, who scooped the Player of the Month award for November.
#AbsaPrem Player of the Month winner: Sipho Mbule
He wins his first individual award in the #AbsaPrem.
Congratulations to Sipho !!— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) December 17, 2019
During the month, Kaizer Chiefs beat Chippa United, Stellenbosch FC and won their first Soweto Derby match against Orlando Pirates in five years. In the process scoring nine goals, including keeping two clean sheets.
The judging panel believes Chiefs has become a difficult team to break down under Middendorp, while upfront they are scoring with ease. Kaitano Tembo of SuperSport United and Bloemfontein Celtic’s Lehlohonolo Seema, also received favourable mentions for their team efforts during the month.
BREAKING:
Congratulations to #AbsaPrem Coach of the Month: Ernst Middendorp @KaizerChiefs
He wins the award a record third time in a row (first coach to do so)
Congratulations coach!!! pic.twitter.com/M5p9SXkxj2
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) December 17, 2019
Mbule, who was part of the SA U-23 team that recently qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, won the individual player award for the first time ever. The attacking midfielder’s win capped off a superb start to the season, after grabbing his chances afforded by coach Kaitano Tembo to be a regular starter.
His two goals in United’s away victories over Bidvest Wits and Maritzburg United helped him emerge victorious ahead of Samir Nurkovic from Chiefs, Knox Mutizwa of Golden Arrows and Chippa United’s William Twala.
The panel of judges praised the Bethlehem-born Mbule for his mature displays in the heart of midfield for Matsatsantsa, which belie his age. For winning the monthly awards, the two winners will each receive R5 000 from Absa.
