Mushekwi, Mwanjale scores big at Sundowns

ZIMBABWE internationals Method Mwanjali and Nyasha Mushekwi were rewarded for their outstanding performances as their South African side Mamelodi Sundowns held their club's awards at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand on Saturday night.

Mwanjali, who is the Warriors skipper, and Mushekwi both joined Sundowns from CAPS United last year and capped their first full season at the Brazilians with the handsome rewards.

Seven honours were up for grabs with prize money ranging from R70 000 to R175 000.

The Zimbabwean pair bagged two of those awards.

Sundowns had four Zimbabweans on their player list last season with club captain Esrom Nyandoro and fellow midfielder Lionel Mtizwa also featuring for the Absa Premiership giants.

The Brazilians continued with their love for local players by signing Zimbabwe youth international Simba Sithole ahead of the 2011-12 season.

Utility defender Mwanjali won the Most Committed Player of the Season award, which had a R100 000 purse.

The award did not come as a surprise for Mwanjali who made 17 starting appearances and one as a substitute and played all positions in the Sundowns rearguard.

Throughout the season, Mwanjali never received a red card.

Not to be outdone was Mushekwi, who was voted the club's most consistent player of the season. The bustling striker walked away R110 000 richer.

Mushekwi, who had often had to come from the bench and lived in the shadows of Bafana Bafana forward Katlego Mphela, made a late charge and scored 14 goals in 1 574 minutes of action throughout the season.

The former CAPS United man missed the Absa Premiership Golden Boot award by just a goal after being pipped to the title by fellow Zimbabwean and Kaizer Chiefs hotshot Knowledge Musona.

Goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands was voted the Player of the Season for his outstanding display between the posts.

Sandilands was third down the pecking order at the start of season, behind Calvin Marlin and veteran Brian Baloyi.

But once he got his chance in the seventh league match of the season against Free State Stars in November, he never looked back.

After keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Sandilands never looked back and was rewarded for consistency throughout the season.

Sandilands, in the end, made 23 League starts and kept nine clean sheets in league matches, which translated to 2 070 minutes. He only received two yellow cards throughout the entire season and was never sent off.

The Players' Player of the Season award went to Mozambican international midfielder-cum-striker Elias Pelembe.

Pelembe featured in 21 games throughout the season and scored two goals but the diminutive Mozambican played a vital role as a team player and assisted in creating a number of goals.

The Brazilians finished their third season on the trot without a major trophy as Orlando Pirates won the league championship.

Full list of awards and prize money

Young Footballer of the Year - Buhle Mkhwanazi (R70 000)
Most Committed Player - Method Mwanjale (R100 000)
Most Consistent Player - Nyasha Mushekwi (R110 000)
Role Model of the Year - Calvin Marlin and Franklin Cale (R120 000 each)
Players' Player - Elias Pelembe (R150 000)
Most Improved Player - Mabhuti Khenyeza (R80 000)
Player of the Season - Wayne Sandilands (R175 000).