It has been a fantastic season which has seen a lot of surprises in terms of results. Equally, there are a couple of players who have raised their hands for their clubs from the beginning of the season. In the absence of these stars, their clubs have found the going very tough. With eight matches remaining before the season comes to a close, Sunday Standard journalist TSHEPO MOLWANE looks at the three players who deserve to be nominees for the beMOBILE Premier League player of season award.
Segolame Boy (Township Rollers)
There are no better words to describe this young boy who almost two seasons ago was an unknown figure in Botswana football. He was busy playing constituency football somewhere in Serowe before Miscellaneous identified him. In his maiden season at the country’s popular club, Boy has performed head and shoulders above others. He has never put his foot wrong since match day one. It is his swift left foot and his ability to get into dangerous positions which has won him lots of people’s hearts. Both the young and old have respect for Boy and his down to earth attitude has worked wonders for him. Botswana Television (Btv) commentator Nelson Ditibane summed up his performance by saying, “The thing about Boy is that he has managed to even score crucial goals for his club when it mattered most. That is what put him above others when it comes to this award. His exploits have even won him a place in the national team and he performed well.” Boy has featured in 20 games of the 21 which Mapalastina have played to date in the League. He missed their 2-0 loss to BDF XI in Serowe on February 6 due to injury.
Lesego Galenamotlhale (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)
Since the beginning of the season, he has played his heart out for Magosi in his new role deep in the midfield. In the games where he has been absent due to suspension, Magosi have looked out of sorts. While some fans were left frustrated in his absence, some football experts have come to his defence. “There is no way that he can avoid the cards because his position forces him to do so. He gets stuck in the central midfield in order to give his side shape and relieve the defence from pressure,” said Ditibane. Of the 22 matches that Magosi have played, Galenamotlhale has played in 20. It is unfortunate that despite his continued five-star performances in the middle of the park, Zebras’ head coach Peter Butler has not recognised him.
Modiredi Matengu (Sankoyo Bush Bucks)
Some football fans would think this to be a crazy choice because he comes from an unfashionable club which has just been promoted to the elite league. But Matengu has been outstanding at the heart of Bush Bucks defence and has won a couple of man of the match awards along the way. While his club lies on the ninth spot, there is no doubt about his commitment. Yes, he is an outsider considering the form of Boy and Galenamotlhale, but the 25 year-old centre back deserves credit. Bush Bucks coach Philani Mabena said, “he has been fantastic for us as a leader. He has a big heart and he has even made my job a lot easier with his leadership skills. There have been challenges in the team but he has always made sure that he keeps his teammates going,” said Mabena. Matengu has featured in 21 of the 22 matches Sankoyo has played so far missing their 1-1 drawn match at home to Orapa United due to suspension.
