BIDVEST Wits striker Sthembiso Ngcobo and MP Black Aces coach Clive Barker take top honours at the announcement of the Absa Premiership Player/Coach of Quarter 3 at the PSL offices in Parktown on Tuesday April 15.
“This honour is not just for me but for all the coaches in the PSL, they are all doing a great job with their teams,” said Barker, “I am very honoured to have this award. It means a lot for me and my team.”
Ngcobo regained his goal-scoring touch to set his club on a late charge for Absa Premiership glory. The striker, who has also worn the colours of Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu in the Absa Premiership over the past few seasons, helped Bidvest Wits win four of their six games played in Quarter 3 of this exciting competition, that incentivises players to further strive for excellence.
MP Black Aces’ experienced mentor Barker collected the Absa Premiership Coach of Quarter 3 honours, for steering his team to four victories out of seven games played in Quarter 3.
Ngcobo and former Bafana Bafana coach Barker each took home R15 000, courtesy of Absa.
Judges convenor Farouk Khan congratulated Ngcobo and Barker on their achievements, adding that their efforts have allowed their respective clubs to be set for high-placed finishes on the Absa Premiership table.
“Ngcobo’s goal-scoring form of late is just the tonic that Gavin Hunt’s Wits team needed to push for an excellent finish in the Absa Premiership this season, and its performances such as those produced by Ngcobo, which have made the 2013/2014 Absa Premiership season into the exciting week-in, week-out package that it is,” said Khan, who has coached at several top-flight clubs over the years, including Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United.
“Barker is no stranger to league success, having won top-flight league honours with Durban Bush Bucks and Santos, and is known in the football industry as a superb motivator, who allows players to feel like champions and match winners when taking to the field.”
