Ernst Middendorp has been voted the Absa Premiership Coach of the Month for the second month in succession after directing Kaizer Chiefs to four straight wins in the September/October period.
The German becomes the second coach to claim the award in two successive months after Pitso Mosimane, who previously clinched the award in successive months back in 2016.
During the voting period, Middendorp’s men performed admirably, recording four victories over AmaZulu, Baroka FC, Lamontville Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns. In the process, they collected an impressive 12 points out of a possible 15.
The Amakhosi also scored seven goals and conceded one. The coach has been praised for having brought back the competitive spirit into the Kaizer Chiefs side, turning them into a difficult team to beat; both home and away this season.
Daniel Akpeyi, Kaizer Chiefs’ number one goalkeeper since the start of the season, was awarded the monthly individual player award for September/October – his first since he started plying his trade in the Absa Premiership in 2015. The Nigerian international has used his experience to bring stability to the Amakhosi defence, keeping four clean sheets in the five-game stint.
The judging panel heaped praise on Akpeyi for having improved key elements to his game such as positioning, communication and shot-stopping.
Other players that impressed the judges for this period included on-form AmaZulu striker Bonginkosi Ntuli and Lebo Manyama, also from Kaizer Chiefs.
For winning the monthly awards, the Chiefs duo will each receive R5 000 from Absa, proud sponsors of the Absa Premiership.
Judging panel: Farouk Khan (convenor), Baba Mthethwa, Thabiso Tema, Carol Tshabalala, Thato Moeng, Thabo Kofa© Premier Soccer League
