Clean sweep of the Absa Premiership monthly awards for the ‘new’ Buccaneers

It was a clean sweep for a rejuvenated Orlando Pirates at the monthly Absa Premiership awards at the Parktown offices of the Premier Soccer League.

Buccaneers coach Milutin Sredojevic and two of his players, Musa Nyatama and Justin Shonga, were awarded. Sredojevic was crowned the Coach of the Month while Nyatama was Player of the Month and Shonga’s goal against Chippa United was voted Goal of the Month for February.

Read: Hunt, Josephs wrap up Absa Premiership monthly awards

Sredojevic wins his second Coach of the Month award for this season after guiding the Buccaneers to two wins and scoring five goals during the month of March. The judges were impressed by his discipline and calmness in tough situations as well as the strong combination and partnership he has built with his technical team that has seen the club produce great results.

“This is a reflection of the fact that we’re working very hard, there three of us here, all from the same team, to collect different awards,” said Sredojevic.

“Isn’t it amazing? This compliments the hard work we have put into Pirates and the results are now coming.”

He downplayed the fact that Pirates were title contenders after a poor start to the season that saw numerous senior players packing their bags for various destinations after their contracts were not renewed by the club. “It’s still early to make any pronouncements around the destination of the league trophy,” he added.

“We want to focus on finishing the season on a high and winning most if not all our remaining games, that is what we are aiming at doing.”

Sredojevic beat Maritzburg United’s Fadlu Davis and Luc Eymael of Free State Stars to win the monthly award.

Nyatama capped off a great month of winning back-to-back Man of the Match awards by being rewarded as the best player in the Absa Premiership for March.

The former Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder was praised for his creativity in the centre of the park for Pirates, his ability to play penetrative passes, and for his attack and defence. The judges also noted his contribution in assists in key victories over Kaizer Chiefs and Golden Arrows.

Nyatama beat teammates Thembinkosi Lorch and Luvuyo Memela as well as Siphesihle Ndlovu of Maritzburg United to the award.

Read: Crunch time for Wits as they host rejuvenated Buccaneers

In the Goal of the Month category, Shonga saw his stunning long-range goal emerge with the most votes in the Absa Premiership Goal of the Month competition voted for by football fans.

The Zambian wins the sixth Goal of the Month award of the 2017/18 season following Polokwane City teammates’ Rodney Ramagalela and Ndivuwo Ravhuhali’s successes earlier in the season, Hlompho Kekana in November, Tiyani Mabunda for December and Leonardo Castro in January.

Can you guess from the current play who the next lot of winners could come from? Tweet your possible winners’names @AlexNewsZA