Posted in News on Aug 06, 2007.
During Stars run to their first PSL trophy they defeated The Amakhosi along the way and Phala played a major hand during Novembers Telkom Cup ¼ Final game which Stars won 2-1. It was his performance during that game which caught the attention of The Amakhosi and early in the New Year Phala switched over and became a Chiefs player; although he signed for Chiefs in late February Phala was unable to play any part in Chiefs campaign last season but has featured prominently in Chiefs build up to the new season.
Although Phala was beaten to the over all Jet Rookie of the year prize, there was a Chiefs connection with the winner, as current Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral over saw the winner Clifford Ngobeni’s rise to stardom. As it was the Chiefs coach who during his return to the PSL last season with Ajax Cape Town who gave the recently capped Bafana Bafana player the opportunity to show off his talents on a wider scale, the Amakhosi coach has regularly been credited for fielding young players. Ngobeni’s rise and his win as the Rookie of the season last year bares testimony to the fact that Ertugral is not afraid to blood young talent, during the Turkish born coaches previous stint as Chiefs coach he brought to the fore the talents of Jabu Pule, Nhlanhla Kubeka, Isaac Mabotsa and Lucky Maselesele.
Phala aiming for continuity
Thuso Phala was well pleased with receiving the award as the Jet Rookie player of the month for December 2006, and believes that had he had been able to have played a full season he could have stood a better chance of winning the over all prize. When Phala opted to leave Stars in February it meant that he would be unable to play any further part in the 2006-2007 season, having made a good start to his PSL career Phala believes that this award will spur him on to bigger things.
Speaking to kaizerchiefs.com at the PSL Jet Club award ceremony on Monday Phala added “I was happy with the way things went for me during my inaugural PSL season in 2006 - 2007; I wish to build on that success this season with Chiefs. The team we have at the moment I believe will be able to win a number of trophies and having won the Telkom Cup with Stars, that is one trophy I am looking to successfully defending on a personal level”. Phala also complimented Clifford Ngobeni on his success in becoming the PSL Jet Club Rookie of the year for 2006 – 2007, the Chiefs midfielder said “Clifford had a good season and so did all the guys nominated and his win is a well deserved one”.
Ngobeni thanks Ertugral
Monday afternoon’s winner at the Wanderers club in Johannesburg and the man who walked away with a R50 000 cash prize, Ajax Cape Towns Clifford Ngobeni was unable to bask in the glory of being named the best newcomer in the league for last season for too long. As he was speedily whisked away from the ceremony soon after receiving his award as he headed back to a Bafana Bafana training camp currently on the go in Johannesburg. Kaizerchiefs.com did manage to sneak in a couple of questions to the much sought after 20 year old midfielder, who heaped praise on Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral for helping him live up to his true potential.
Ngobeni said, “I was at Ajax for six years and never got a look in that was until Muhsin Ertugral came around, he gave me the chance to further a dream of mine and I want to thank for him”.
Ngobeni also offered a word of advice for a number of Chiefs younger players as he continued on by adding “I am sure Muhsin Ertugral will give a few more youngsters the chance to play in the PSL this season, while the coach will field them it is up to them to repay the faith he has in them as footballers, by being disciplined and working hard as well as always giving their best to the teams course”.
Ertugral pleased with Ngobeni success
Amakhosi coach Muhsin Ertugral was beaming from ear to ear when contacted on Monday afternoon and was informed that Ngobeni his former charge, had won the PSL Rookie of the year prize for last season. Ngobeni’s award capped what was a successful return to the PSL for the Chiefs coach as he won the 2006- 2007 PSL coach of the season award, in addition he lead Ajax to the Telkom Cup Final where they were beaten by Silver Stars, in late May he took Ajax to their second final and this time around they were triumphant defeating PSL Champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the ABSA Cup Final in Durban.
Ertugral said on Monday, “Clifford is a very intelligent player one who always listens to instructions and plays with all his heart in every game, he fully deserves this award as he had a phenomenally successful season in 2006-2007, I would like to congratulate him for winning this award and I hope he spends his prize money wisely”.
