Blanket Mine FC tops Central Region Soccer League August awards

BLANKET Mine FC are enjoying a month to remember as they do not only sit pretty atop the Zifa Central Region Soccer League table but have also swept the board in August’s monthly awards, picking up three individual honours.

The Gwanda outfit leads the standings on 57 points, a comfortable five clear of second-placed Kwekwe United. Chapungu FC round out the top three with 50 points, while West Nicholson FC (49) and Gwanda Pirates (45) complete a competitive top five.

The five-point cushion grew on Wednesday when Blanket Mine eased past Grain Tigers 2-0 in a rescheduled fixture — sweet revenge of sorts, coming just three days after Grain Tigers had edged them 12-11 on penalties in a cup clash.

Coach Luke Jukulile, player Mathew Hlabathi and goalkeeper Nobert Matiya were all honoured for the consistency and quality that have kept the club firmly in the title hunt, a form that has brought renewed hope to Matabeleland South as top-flight football might return to the region.

Jukulile picked up the Coach of the Month award, recognition for the tactical sharpness and man-management that have steered his side through a gruelling run of fixtures without losing focus. The award is sponsored by Ronnie’s Sports Arena.

Hlabathi, meanwhile, claimed the YaFM-sponsored Player of the Month award after a string of standout displays in a fiercely contested division.

Between the posts, Matiya’s reliability earned him the Goalkeeper of the Month gong backed by Jutan Printers. His performances have gave Blanket Mine a solid last line of defence and underlining a side that’s just as strong at the back as it is going forward.

Elsewhere, Tongogara FC’s Takudzwa Mshambi was named Top Goal Scorer of the Month financed by Midlands Urology Centre.

With the season now entering its business end, the individual honours should serve as fresh fuel for Blanket Mine and timely reminder that every point, goal and save could prove decisive in bringing top flight football to the rainbow province.

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