Africa-Press – Lesotho. Matlama and Bantu midfielders, Jane Thabantšo and Thabo Lesaoana, lead the list of nominees for the 2022/23 Vodacom Premier League (VPL) end of season awards.
The VPL awards will be held tomorrow evening at Avani Maseru and Thabantšo, who was a talisman for Matlama all season, has scored the most nominations with his name in the running for three different accolades.
In addition, the Lesotho international is assured of going home with at least one award because he will receive the Top Goal-scorer of the Season trophy.
Thabantšo will share the award with Hlomelang Lebina of Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) after both players finished the 2022/23 season with 15 goals apiece.
Thabantšo’s golden boot success was secured by an incredible final day performance when he scored four goals in Matlama’s 5-0 win over Machokha late last month.
Until then, Lebina looked like he would be the sole winner of the golden boot but ‘Tse Putsoa’ went out of their way on the final day to give Thabantšo the award.
Every pass and opportunity against Machokha was created for him, and any player in a position to score first looked for Thabantšo in what was an obvious team effort to push the midfielder to win the top scorer award.
Thabantšo went into the final game with 11 goals while Lebina had 13. Four goals in 43 minutes by Thabantšo put him ahead of Lebina. However, Lebina put one final twist in the tale when he scored a brace in the second half of LCS’s 4-0 win over CCX to tie the top scorers’ charts at 15 goals.
Bantu’s Lesaoana is set to be the night’s other big winner. The midfielder has played a key role in Bantu’s league triumph and their People’s Cup conquest and he is the favourite to win the coveted Player of the Season which comes with a M15 000 jackpot.
Lesoana predominantly played as a midfielder for Bantu but was able to operate in different positions when called upon. Whether he was a centre-back or a fullback, his adaptability made Lesoana one of the most important players for the champions.
The third nominee in the player of the season category is Bantu’s Tšoanelo Koetle. Another major award is the coach of the season crown which will be contested by Linare’s Leslie Notši, Motheo Mohapi of Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) and Tiisetso Molete of Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS).
The list of nominees is rare because it does not include the coach of the league winning team. Bantu’s title-winning coach Bob Mafoso was only hired in April and he did not fulfil the criteria of games in charge to be eligible for the coach of the season award.
In Mafoso’s absence the favourite for the award is Notši who transformed Linare’s season after he took over as coach. Notši took charge of ‘Tse Tala’ last October when he replaced South Africa-born coach, Teboho Moloi.
When Notši arrived at Linare, they had just won three of their opening six games and he went to lead them to second place. His impact at Linare is undeniable especially when considering the quality of his team compared to that of LDF and LMPS.
Linare punched above their weight and a fourth-place finish for them would have been a good achievement. Finishing as runners up is a fantastic achievement and a great job by Notši.
It is difficult for anyone to make a case against Notši. Full nominees list: Assistant Referee of the Season Lesupi Puputla Puleng Mahomo Siza Dlangamandla
Referee of the Season Lebalang Mokete ‘Mathabo Kolokotoane Moeketsi Ntoa Defender of the Season Mabitle Tšotetsi Motlomelo Mkhwanazi Tšoanelo Koetle
Midfielder of the season Tšepo Toloane Jane Thabantšo Thabo Lesaoana Goalkeeper of the Season Sekhoane Moerane Ntsane Lichaba Sele Thetsane Young Player of the Season
Mohlomo Makhetha Lebina Hlomelang Katleho Koaeane Coach of the Season Leslie Notši Motheo Mohapi Tiisetso Molete Player’s Player of the Season Jane Thabantšo
Thabo Lesaoana Top Goalscorer of the Season Jane Thabantšo (15 goals) Lebina Hlomelang (15 goals) Player of the Season Thabo Lesaoana Jane Thabantšo Tšoanelo Koetle
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