Boebie: Its just the beginning


13 April 2010

Santos’ achievements in the league this season have been recognised with two nominations in the Absa Premiership awards list, but coach Boebie Solomons maintains he was only laying foundations this season.

Solomons was himself nominated for Coach of the Season (alongside Gavin Hunt and Hristo Stoitchkov), while Tshepo Motsoeneng is up for the Goalkeeper of the Season award.

Solomons was himself highly satisfied with Motsoeneng’s first season at the club.

The 31-year old had relatively little top flight experience before joining Santos, but his signing proved to be a masterstroke – with the assistance of an excellent back four in front of him, Motsoeneng ensured the Peoples’ Team had one of the best defenses’ in the league.

“Tshepo’s had a great season and it’s a nice gesture to have him nominated as one of the top goal keepers.

“We gave him the chance to have exposure and he took the opportunity with both hands.

“Tshepo played a huge part on our success – the goalkeeper is probably the most important position in the team and I’m glad he came to the party.

“He is disciplined and a hard working player and he put in some outstanding performances this season,” said Solomons.

Of his own achievement in guiding the team to a highly commendable fourth placed finish, Solomons is looking rather to the future than dwelling on past success.

“I would say the past league season was a healthy one. We worked on a number of things – we changed several aspects of our game and the players adapted well to that.

“We are in the process of developing a definitive style and are looking to catch up to standards in the rest of the world.

“I am happy with the position we ended in, and with both individual and team performances, but this is definitely only the foundation. We are looking to play good football, the right kind of football, which will bring not temporary success, but permanent success.

“By continuing to play the right kind of football we will continue to win more games than we lose,” explained Solomons.

Santos’ immediate focus will be on their Nedbank Cup last 32 match against Jomo Cosmos.

The match takes place at Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington on Saturday afternoon and kick off is at 15H00.

Click HERE to view all the Nedbank fixtures

All the Absa Premiership categories and nominees:

Absa Premiership Player of the Season
• Katlego Mphela
• Daine Klate
• Morgan Gould

Absa Premiership Players’ Player (voted by the players)
• Daine Klate
• Katlego Mphela
• Elias Pelembe

Absa Premiership Coach of the Season
• Gavin Hunt
• Hristo Stoitchkov
• Boebie Solomons

  Absa Premiership Red Hot Young Player of the Season
• Andile Jali
• Thandani Ntshumayelo
• Siyanda Xulu

Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season
• Tshepo Motsoeneng
• Moeneeb Josephs
• Emille Baron

Absa Premiership Absa-lutely Awesome Goal
• Rudolf Bester from Maritzburg United against Kaizer Chiefs (12/09/2009)
• Tlou Segolela from Bloemfontein Celtic against Jomo Cosmos (28/10/2009)
• Vincent Kobola from Moroka Swallows against Mamelodi Sundowns (19/02/2010)

The Judges for the Absa Premiership End of Season were:
• Nick Said - Mzansi Football
• Ernest Landheer – BackPage Senior Soccer Journalist
• Neil Greig – Kick Off Editor
• Clint Roper – Soccerladuma Editor
• Matshelane Mamabolo - Shoot
• Patrick Baloyi – Sunday World Journalist
• Nkareng Matshe – Star
• Mninawa Ntloko – Business Day
• Mathews Mpete – Daily Sun
• Sello Rabothatha – Sowetan
• Sandile Nqose – YFM/ETV
• Sisa Majola – The Citizen
• Mervyn Nadioo – Independent Newspapers KZN
• Sidwell Guduka – Express Newspaper Free State