Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
TEAM WORK: Khama Billiat, left, Hlompho Kekana and Keegan Dolly celebrate a goal against Maritzburg United in January when Sundowns started their march to the title. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/ANESH DEBIKY
IN A squad with Mamelodi Sundowns’ depth, there can be a lot of crucial players in a league and cup double-winning season, but here are their four most influential players this season.
KHAMA BILLIAT
Billiat is "probably the most fouled player in the league", according to Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane. But this did not stop the Zimbabwean midfielder from contributing 10 goals and 14 assists in league matches.
Billiat said the opponents’ plan to stop him at all costs was not going to work. "I’m always in a position to be kicked and I can’t blame the defenders, because they have to defend. But yeah, it is the nature of the game and I have to be strong. I can’t be a chicken."
HLOMPHO KEKANA
Mpumalanga Black Aces coach Muhsin Ertugral has heaped praise on the Limpopo-born midfielder after a stellar season.
Ertugral argued that Kekana deserved just as much attention, as: "There are a couple of players at Sundowns that you could pick, but you guys are always focusing on the guy who scores the goals. You should also think about the players who are the spine of the team, like Hlompho Kekana. He’s performed miracles," Ertugral said.
KEAGAN DOLLY
The former Ajax Cape Town man was expected to struggle for game time after his move to the Tshwane side. And despite having to deal with the sceptics, the Westbury-born midfielder, with Thabo Nthethe, have the most league starts at Sundowns (27).
Dolly’s combination with Billiat and Leonardo Castro, dubbed the "CBD", has been a marvel to watch, with good reason. Dolly has netted nine goals, with four of them coming in the league.
DENIS ONYANGO
Mosimane has said the Ugandan deserves the goalkeeper of the season award and rightly so, based on his performances.
Onyango has more often than not been unbeatable between the sticks. The 30-year-old has 11 clean sheets in 21 league starts for the Brazilians. Onyango hopes he has done enough this season to be nominated for the PSL awards.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
They put the sun into Downs
IN A squad with Mamelodi Sundowns’ depth, there can be a lot of crucial players in a league and cup double-winning season, but here are their four most influential players this season.
KHAMA BILLIAT
Billiat is "probably the most fouled player in the league", according to Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane. But this did not stop the Zimbabwean midfielder from contributing 10 goals and 14 assists in league matches.
Billiat said the opponents’ plan to stop him at all costs was not going to work. "I’m always in a position to be kicked and I can’t blame the defenders, because they have to defend. But yeah, it is the nature of the game and I have to be strong. I can’t be a chicken."
HLOMPHO KEKANA
Mpumalanga Black Aces coach Muhsin Ertugral has heaped praise on the Limpopo-born midfielder after a stellar season.
Ertugral argued that Kekana deserved just as much attention, as: "There are a couple of players at Sundowns that you could pick, but you guys are always focusing on the guy who scores the goals. You should also think about the players who are the spine of the team, like Hlompho Kekana. He’s performed miracles," Ertugral said.
KEAGAN DOLLY
The former Ajax Cape Town man was expected to struggle for game time after his move to the Tshwane side. And despite having to deal with the sceptics, the Westbury-born midfielder, with Thabo Nthethe, have the most league starts at Sundowns (27).
Dolly’s combination with Billiat and Leonardo Castro, dubbed the "CBD", has been a marvel to watch, with good reason. Dolly has netted nine goals, with four of them coming in the league.
DENIS ONYANGO
Mosimane has said the Ugandan deserves the goalkeeper of the season award and rightly so, based on his performances.
Onyango has more often than not been unbeatable between the sticks. The 30-year-old has 11 clean sheets in 21 league starts for the Brazilians. Onyango hopes he has done enough this season to be nominated for the PSL awards.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.