Cape Town - Bloemfontein Celtic head coach Steve Komphela has been named as the Absa Premiership Coach of the Month for the month of August.
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Komphela, installed as the new Siwelele coach during pre-season, went undefeated in the month of August, impressively guiding his side to three victories and a draw in the Absa Premiership. In the process, Bloemfontein Celtic hit the back of the net on seven occasions, only conceding twice, in the match against his former club, Kaizer Chiefs.
During August, Celtic beat Chippa United, Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates, scoring five unanswered goals in the process.
The Free State-born coach took to the podium for the monthly recognition awards at the Premier Soccer League offices on Monday morning.
Komphela beat Bidvest Wits’ coach Gavin Hunt and SuperSport United’s Kaitano Tembo to win the award which was voted for by a panel of analysts, former players and broadcast media.
"i appreciate the acknowledgement but there would never be these individual awards without teamwork," Komphela said. "I acknowledge the appreciation but we need to stay focused and work hard.
"Because familiarity brings complacency and at the back of complacency comes mediocrity."
Alfred Ndengane, the reliable Celtic central defender, saw the panel of judges single him out as the best performing player in that period owing to his defensive organization skills and impressive displays in helping Celtic to the best defensive record ahead of the international break.
He was immense as Celtic kept clean sheets in their opening three games. This is the first time Ndengane has claimed the monthly award.
"I have to give thanks to the team and the coach for this award," he said. "These good results are down to hard work and remaining calm and sticking to the management's game-plan, Ndengane said."
For winning the awards, Komphela and Ndengane will each receive R5 000 from Absa.
#AbsaPrem Monthly Awards Winners for the month of August
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) September 17, 2018
Coach of the month : Steve Komphela
Player of the Month : Alfred Ndengane pic.twitter.com/uUWbp17eS7
Congratulations to Steve Komphela and Alfred Ndengane of @Bloem_Celtic for winning the #AbsaPrem Coach & Player of the month for August respectively.
— Bloemfontein Celtic (@Bloem_Celtic) September 17, 2018
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