Extra Time: Michael Madyira writes that Rhulani Mokwena, Steve Barker and Saed Ramovic are the contenders for best coach of the season.
A debate is raging over who should be named Footballer of the Season, but another major category which has divided opinion concerns who should be Coach of the Season.
Three men – Rhulani Mokwena, Steve Barker and Saed Ramovic – stand out.
But picking the winner from among these three is difficult.
Mokwena deserves credit for guiding Mamelodi Sundowns to a record-extending seventh consecutive PSL title with six games to go.
He led the Brazilians to smash the 71-point tally they had amassed at the end of the 2015-16 season under Pitso Mosimane.
They are currently sitting on 73 points and are yet to taste defeat in the league this season, setting themselves up for the “invincibles” title.
Barker has taken a Stellenbosch side with average players to the brink of CAF Champions League qualification.
They are second on the table, and victory over Richards Bay on Saturday will hand them a spot in the Champions League, which would be a first for the Cape Winelands outfit.
They are already guaranteed to play in the CAF Confederation Cup next season and just need three points to qualify for the more competitive Champions League.
Very few people would have correctly predicted, at the beginning of the season, that Barker would lead his team to such heights.
But he guided them to a 25-match unbeaten run in the league this season and won the Carling Knockout.
Also making a strong case to be named best coach is Ramovic, who could help TS Galaxy to a top-four finish.
This is a man who, just like Barker, built a competitive outfit with average players.
After losing key players before the start of the season, Ramovic was left with a squad that, on paper, looked like relegation candidates.
Bathusi Aubaas was signed by Sundowns, Given Msimango joined Kaizer Chiefs and Tshegofatso Nyama went to Cape Town City.
But Ramovic transformed his team into no push-overs, and on Tuesday, Sundowns had to survive by the skin of their teeth at Mbombela Stadium.
In trying to replace players he had lost, Ramovic had to go to the National First Division to find Lehlohonolo Mojela and Thabang Rakwena. He also brought in Kaizer Chiefs academy player Puso Dithejane, who had been fired by Amakhosi.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena.
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
