Manyama sparkles for Cape Town City
JOBURG - Alex footballer for Cape Town City, Lebogang Manyama scoops top Absa Premiership award.
Former FC Alexandra midfield maestro, Lebogang Manyama is riding the crest of a wave with his newly found form following a resurrection of his ailing career.
Manyama, who cut his teeth in football while playing for Ajax Cape Town and Bafana Bafana midfield star, Maimane Alfred Phiri’s FC Alexandra in the ABC Motsepe League, has just been crowned Player of the Month for the months of October, November and December in the Absa Premiership.
This follows an impressive streak of form for his new club Cape Town City that has just had an outstanding maiden season of the premiership following their birth from the purchase of the Mpumalanga Black Aces’ Premier Soccer League status.
In this streak of form, Manyama, born in Thembisa but who now lives in Alexandra, rose above his other equally talented peers such as teammate Aubrey Mngoma, Prince Nxumalo of Ajax Cape Town, and the SuperSport United duo of Thabo Mnyamane and Reneilwe Letsholonyane to bag the crown.
As captain of the team, he impressed the judges with his leadership skills and qualities, intelligence on the ball, being the creative spark in midfield, brilliant off and on the ball runs as well as the match-winning goals he has scored.
He was described as having truly led by example with his impressive seven goals in October, November and December in the first half of the season last year which saw his team being crowned Telkom Knockout champions in their maiden season.
Manyama’s move from FC Alexandra was orchestrated by his mentor, Phiri, who saw the talent in him and negotiated with Ajax Cape Town, a team that has a knack for nurturing talented youngsters and propelling them to greater heights.
From Ajax, Manyama moved to SuperSport and then Aces, now known as Alex Black Aces in the ABC Motsepe League after selling their premier league status to Cape Town City.
Manyama was joined on the PSL podium by his coach Eric Tinkler and SuperSport mentor Stuart Baxter, with Tinkler being named Coach of the Month for December and Baxter was named best coach for October and November.
Baxter and Tinkler narrowly received the nod from the panel of judges made up of seasoned broadcast media personnel and football analysts ahead of other coaches that have performed brilliantly in the league such as Stanley Menzo, Gavin Hunt, Luc Eymael, Pitso Mosimane and Steve Komphela.
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Which other teams deserve accolades? Tweet @AlexNewsZA with your views.
