By Staff Reporter
Once upon a time, Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize had no interest in soccer. The sight of 22 men chasing and kicking an inflated pig skin did not appeal to her.
That changed when her son showed a great passion for football.
MaMkhize once told Sowetan: “I wasn’t even attracted to soccer. I think it comes from the support I have for my kid because Andile has always been in love with soccer. He is the one we used to take to World Cup games and all those things.”
Her entry into professional soccer with her team, Royal AM, has been a game-changer of note in what is their first season in the South African top-flight league.
The club has been the PSL’s towering wunderkind this season. The Durban-based outfit appears to be, at present, on the right path to accomplish qualification to play in the CAF Champions League.
Award-Winners
The coach of Royal AM, John Maduka, a former Malawian international, has earned his first honour as the DStv Premiership Coach of the Month for February/March 2022. Maduka, who has been a head coach in the domestic league since July 2020 with Bloemfontein Celtic beat Marumo Gallant’s Dan Malesela, Cape Town City’s Eric Tinkler and Mamelodi Sundowns duo Manqoba Mnqgithi and Rhulani Mokwena, to win the award that was adjudicated by a panel of experts including football journalists, TV broadcasters and experts.
Royal AM obtained two victories out of their three games in all competitions in March and have not suffered any defeat since the turn of the year. Their last loss was to Baroka FC last December.
In the period of 7 February to 20 March, Royal picked up 11 points from the team’s five games, which started with a 1-0 home win over Sekhukhune United. Royal then bravely fought back to draw 2-2 with Chippa United away from home, followed by an impressive 2-0 victory at SuperSport United in February. In March, Maduka’s side beat Swallows FC 1-0 and earned another 2-2 draw at Stellenbosch FC. Royal kept three clean sheets during this period.
Maduka said being chosen Coach of the Month was special to him, since it is the first time, he has bagged an award.
“The nomination itself was as good as winning and having to finally win the award is a great honour. Look at the coaches who were nominated! They are all great and to come out as a winner is a cherry on top. I have to thank my technical team, players, management and, above all, the chairlady for supporting me and always being there for the team.
“We couldn’t achieve all this if it was not for her. We will continue fighting until the end of the season to achieve our goals of maintaining our status in the league and finish as high as we can this season,” he said.
The judges expressed awe for Maduka when they commented: “Maduka has done incredibly well to get the team to be competitive after their relocation and change of ownership. The fact that Royal AM are still part of the chasing pack behind log leaders Sundowns at this stage of the season, is proof of the great work he and his technical team have been doing.
“He sets up his team to play a positive style of football and their never say die attitude makes them an exciting team to watch. The manner in which he has been able to integrate players that joined Royal in the festive break has been impressive.”
Royal AM’s award glory was further given a shine by its centred-forward, Mxolisi Macuphu, a new recruit who has hit the ground running for his club, received an award for the DStv Premiership Player of the Month for the same period.
Macuphu’s outstanding performance and goals contribution impressed the judges, with Phillip Ndlondlo of Marumo Gallants, coming a close second to winning the award.
In the February/March period, Macuphu impressively scored four goals in Royal’s five outings, including a brace to help his side comeback from 2-0 down to earn a point at his former club Chippa United. His goals have made a huge difference in seeing Royal remain in second place with their eight games remaining in the 2021/22 season.
The humble and talented Macuphu dedicated his award to Maduka.
“When you have someone like Maduka leading you, things become easier. The players are close friends and the coach has put in a vision and created goals that we want to achieve.”
