Bidvest Wits striker Gift Motupa says his work rate has improved and he’s crediting head coach Gavin Hunt for that.

Motupa was speaking at the PSL headquarters after winning the Absa Premiership player of the month award for December.

He scored two goals and provided an assist in the three matches that Wits played last month. Motupa says Hunt demands hard work from players and thus it has benefited him.

Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic’s first goal against Bloemfontein Celtic where he scored a hat-trick during the 5-3 win also won the goal of the month award.

Voted for by the fans, it was for the second consecutive month a Chiefs player had won this award after Dumisani Zuma won it for November.

The Serbian says this indicates the appreciation the fans have for the good work they are doing.

Nurkovic is now on 10 goals in 18 matches in the league, he’s become the first Chiefs player to reach double figures in the league since Bernard Parker’s 10 goals in the 2013/2014 season.

He says their confidence is high at the moment and this augurs well as the log leaders after 18 games played.

Motupa, who joined Wits from Chippa United, says when he joined the club last season Hunt asked him to score at least eight goals and he went on to score 11 goals in 25 matches.

This season he’s scored five goals in the league and 11 goals in all competitions from 20 matches including the CAF Confederation Cup.

Meanwhile, Motupa says it’s a good thing that he’s been linked with Mamelodi Sundowns as they have been winning titles in the past few seasons and are also one of the top teams on the continent.

Sundowns are desperate for an attacker who will help them wrap up the league programme, they are also aware that Motupa won’t be able to help them in the CAF Champions League this season as he’s cup-tied.

The former Baroka FC and Orlando Pirates striker confirmed that Sundowns has approached Wits enquiring about his services as they look to find Emiliano Tade’s replacement after failing to land Knowledge Musona’s signature.
– Report by Velile Mnyandu