Royal AM duo John Maduka and Mxolisi Macuphu has been named as the DStv Premiership Coach and Player of the Month for February/March 2022.
This is the first accolade for the former Malawi international, who has been a head coach in the domestic league since July 2020 with Bloemfontein Celtic. Maduka beat Marumo Gallant’s Dan Malesela, Cape Town City’s Eric Tinkler and Mamelodi Sundowns duo Manqoba Mnqgithi and Rhulani Mokwena, to win the award that was adjudicated by a panel of experts including football journalists, TV broadcasters and experts.
In the period of 7 February to 20 March, Royal picked up 11 points from the team’s five games, which started with a 1-0 home win over Sekhukhune United. Royal then bravely fought back to draw 2-2 with Chippa United away from home, followed by an impressive 2-0 victory at SuperSport United in February. In March, Maduka’s side beat Swallows FC 1-0 and earned another 2-2 draw at Stellenbosch FC. Royal kept three clean sheets during this period.
The judges commented: “Maduka has done incredibly well to get the team to be competitive after their relocation and change of ownership. That fact that Royal AM are still part of the chasing pack behind log leaders Sundowns at this stage of the season, is proof of the great work he and his technical team have been doing. He sets up his team to play a positive style of football and their never say die attitude makes them an exciting team to watch. The manner in which he has been able to integrate players that joined Royal in the festive break has been impressive”.
One of Maduka’s players, Mxolisi Macuphu, joined him on stage at the monthly awards ceremony in Durban today to receive the award for the DStv Premiership Player of the Month for the same period. Macuphu, the new recruit for the KwaZulu Natal-based club has hit the ground running for his new employers.
In the February/March period, Macuphu impressively scored four goals in Royal’s five outings, including a brace to help his side comeback from 2-0 down to earn a point at his former club Chippa United. His goals have made a huge difference in seeing Royal remain in second place with their eight games remaining in the 2021/22 season.
Macuphu’s notable performance and goals contribution hugely impressed the judges, with Phillip Ndlondlo of Marumo Gallants, coming a close second to winning the award.
The DStv Premiership Goal of the Month award went to Kaizer Chiefs’ defender Reeve Frosler for his strike from range against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby. The Goal of the month category is voted for by members of the public on www.psl.co.za
For their awards, Maduka, Macuphu and Frosler will each receive a trophy and R7, 000 courtesy of league sponsors, DStv.
Judges: Carol Tshabalala (SuperSport), Sifiso Ramara (SABC), Tshepo Thobane (eNCA),Tshepang Mailwane (Soccer Laduma), Brian Mathe (SuperSport).
