Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns co-coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena have clinched the coach of the month award for December.
The coaching duo took the award for December after they led Sundowns to four wins, two draws and a defeat.
Predictably, a Sundowns player — in-form midfielder Andile Jali — won player of the month.
Sundowns kicked off the month with a 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch FC, secured a comeback 3-2 win against Royal AM, beat SuperSport United 1-0, floored Baroka FC 2-1 before hammering rivals Orlando Pirates 4-1.
However, their winning run was halted after they suffered their first defeat of the season, 1-0 against AmaZulu, and they concluded the month with a 1-1 draw against Marumo Gallants.
This is the third successive award for Mngqithi and Mokwena so far in this season, the latest coming in the month of October/November after leading Sundowns to three wins and two draws in their five league games.
After the December run, Sundowns are currently topping the 16-team table with 44 points from 19 matches while Pirates are second on 30 points from 19 matches and Stellenbosch third with 29 points from 19 outings.
Meanwhile,Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo’s goal that has been voted the best, came in Amakhosi’s 2-0 win against Sekhukhune United at FNB Stadium on December 12.
Ngcobo unleashed a left-footed effort from outside the 18-yard areas that beat the visiting team’s goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata and set the Soweto-giants to the vital victory.