Dambe makes it a double as Rollers sweep board

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday June 7, 2010 00:00

 

The league and Coca-Cola Cup champions turned the awards into a family affair as they took almost all the awards in the playing category. Young goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe turned out to be the star of the show as he returned home P75, 000-richer after winning the Player of the Season and Players' Player of the season awards.

The 20-year-old Dambe had a very profitable weekend as he won the Coca-Cola Goalkeeper of the Tournament award the previous night. The Tutume-born former Under-20 shot stopper was excellent between the posts for Popa this season, making crucial saves to lead his team to their 10th league title and the Coca-Cola Cup trumph.His efforts were also rewarded with a national team call-up midway through the season.

Dambe made an emotional speech after receiving his two awards, dedicating them to his late mother whom he said would be proud of him on the night. Edwin 'Muluba' Moalosi won the Supporters' Player of the Year award. The skilful albeit pint-sized Moalosi played a crucial role in Rollers' success this season.

The attacking midfielder constituted a deadly combination upfront with top goal-scorer Terrence Mandaza, supplying the striker and scoring crucial goals along the way. The 22-year-old Moalosi pocketed P25, 000 for his efforts. Mandaza himself won the Green Boot award after re-writing local soccer history books when he found the back of the net an amazing 31 times this season. The Zimbabwean-born marksman 's exploits in Popa colours, caught the eye of top South African Premier League clubs and he will definitely not star for Popa again next season.

Tactician Rahman Gumbo won Coach of the Season award, beating Gunners' Daniel Chico Nare and Clever Hunda of Police XI. Many people almost wrote the Zimbabwean- born mentor's obituary after he finished in an unimpressive fifth position in his debut season for Mapalastina last season.

He proved to be spot-on when he said he was still trying to find the best combinations for the team. Rollers' management deserve a pat on the back for having some faith in him as he delivered the much-needed silverware this season.

Premier League Chairperson Mokganedi 'Mike' Molefe commended his team for a job well done this season. He said despite an acute shortage of stadium facilities, the committee worked tirelessly to ensure the league finished as scheduled.

Molefe also thanked the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) group for coming on board to partner with the Premier League through be MOBILE sponsorship.

This season marks the end of the second year of the P15 million three-year deal that the two parties signed in 2008. BTC Group Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keabetswe Segole said their mission has been to raise the standard of football in Botswana so it matches and perhaps even exceed international standards.  He thanked stakeholders who helped make the season a huge success, urging them to continue working hard in the coming season. The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Peter Siele was the guest of honour at the glamorous event, which was broadcast live on Botswana Television (Btv).