Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane says Orlando Pirates attacker Thembinkosi Lorch deserved the Footballer of the Season award which he got at the PSL awards in Durban this past weekend.
Mosimane was reacting to comments that Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana should’ve been the recipient of this award.
Lorch was up against two Sundowns players for this award in Kekana and Themba Zwane.
He beat them in two categories, the main award and the Absa Premiership Players’ player of the year, accolades which are decided by the coaches and players respectively.
After spearheading the Pirates attack this season and losing the league title by only two points to Sundowns, Mosimane says the 25-year-old got what he deserved.
But Mosimane has questioned how their number one goalkeeper Denis Onyango failed to win the goalkeeper of the year award and instead it went to Ronwen Williams of SuperSport United.
After a good run that culminated in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League this season, Mosimane says they now need quality players who will make them able to compete especially against the North African clubs which are dominating on the continent.
Sundowns won their ninth league title in the PSL era which is also a record-equalling fourth title for Mosimane.
SABC Sport has learned that Sundowns is prioritising a no.9 type of a striker, possibly from West Africa.
The name of Togolese international Kodjo Fo-Do Laba who is currently with Moroccan side RS Berkane who are in the CAD Confederation Cup final against Egyptian giants Zamalek.
Mosimane also believes that Emiliano Tade will be key upfront for them next season.
Mosimane has also saluted the South African and African born coaches in the PSL this season for raising their hands this season and dominated over the European coaches.
All the trophies have been won by local coaches, including the Telkom Knockout competition which was claimed by former Zambian international Wedson Nyirenda at Baroka FC.
Meanwhile, Mosimane says it’s important for Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter to build a strong team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and not just focus on getting the results at this coming AFCON in Egypt.
Baxter announced his provisional 30-man squad yesterday and most of the junior internationals were left with the COSAFA U23 national team squad.
The former Bafana coach says the composition of Baxter’s final 23-man squad should speak to the future. – Report by Velile Mnyandu
