‘Footballer of the Season goes beyond goals and assists’: Rulani Mokwena
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has weighed in on the Footballer of the Season debate, insisting that the award goes beyond goals and assists.
Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena walked away with the Footballer of the Season award for the 202/23 DStv Premiership campaign.
The 26-year-old central midfielder beat his teammate Ronwen Williams and Orlando Pirates star Monnapule Saleng to the prestigious accolade.
Mokoena was pivotal in helping Masandawana clinch their sixth successive league title.
The midfield maestro joined Sundowns during the 2022 January transfer window from cross-town rivals SuperSport United.
In the just-concluded season, Mokoena made 38 appearances in all competitions for Sundowns, and he scored two goals while making two assists.
Meanwhile, many Pirates supporters took to social media to debate the Footballer of the Season award, insisting that Saleng should have walked away with the accolade.
With the supporters debating the Footballer of the Year award, Mokwena said those debating the decision must look beyond goals and assists.
RULANI MOKWENA WEIGHS IN ON FOOTBALLER OF THE SEASON DEBATE
“Congratulations to [Teboho] Mokoena; I think It [Footballer of the Season award] was well deserved,” Mokwena said.
“There’s this talks of goals and assists, and I listen to these things, but we are at a position where we use different matrix.
“I mean Mokoena, as compared to Williams, you can’t compare the two on the same matrix because their contributions are completely different.
“And for sure, the influence of the Footballer of the Season goes beyond goals and assists because it’s an influence that has to go into a space where you look at different dynamics, matrix and measurements with regards to different positions and demands.
“So Mokoena, in my opinion, deserves the praise and the accolades he is receiving,” the Soweto-born coach added.
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