Johannesburg – Head coach Pitso Mosimane dedicated his award to his Mamelodi Sundowns players after he was named Absa Premiership Coach of Quarter Four (Q4) on Monday.
While the Brazilians finished outside the top eight in the league, Mosimane, who replaced Johan Neeskens at the helm of the struggling team in December, was rewarded for his side's consistent showing during the fourth quarter.
“We coaches come here and receive awards, but we don't play,” Mosimane said.
“The players played, they contributed and they gave us the glory.
“I've just come from a meeting with the players and I told them that I would be receiving this award on their behalf.
“They are the ones who played for me to be voted for. It's encouraging and it makes me work even harder and makes me double my efforts.”
The Brazilians wrapped up their season with a 2-2 draw against Wits on Saturday, leaving the Pretoria outfit in 10th place in the final league standings and out of next season's MTN8 competition.
Mosimane's side, however, claimed three wins, three draws and a single loss from their seven Q4 fixtures, bagging 12 of a possible 21 points before the campaign reached its conclusion at the weekend.
The former Bafana Bafana mentor became the third coach to win the award. Stuart Baxter, of league champions Kaizer Chiefs, claimed both Q1 and Q3 honours, while Platinum Stars boss Cavin Johnson was named the best for Q2.
“To be honest, I was not focussed on who will win coach of Quarter 4. To me it's not important,” he said.
“Yes it's important to be acknowledged, but we were focussed on trying to reach our objective of a top-eight finish.
“I didn't expect to be sitting here but I am honoured.”
Meanwhile, Platinum Stars' Robert Ng'ambi beat the likes of Bloemfontein Celtic's Joel Mogorosi and Sundowns' Alje Schut to the Player of Q4 award.
Ng'ambi was commended for his seven Premiership goals this season, coupled with consistent performances for the high-flying Rustenburg outfit, which ended the season in second position in the table. – Sapa