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Willard Katsande named Player of the Season

The 2015/16 Kaizer Chiefs awards ceremony took place on Thursday evening, with midfield hardman Willard Katsande making a clean-sweep of the top individual honours.

On a night of glitz and glam at Studio Blu, it was the no-nonsense Zimbabwean who shone brightest as he scooped the main gong on the night following his standout performances in the famous Gold & Black this term.

The tough-tackling playmaker was also named the AmaKhosi Players’ Player of the Season, while also getting the nod from the supporters after taking home the Fans’ Player of the Season.

Speaking after receiving his third major award of the night, the ever honest Katsande said: “It’s always nice to be recognized as an individual but we didn’t have a good season.

“My teammates need to go sharpen their swords and we need to come back stronger.”

The evening was also held in honour of former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs coach Ted Dumitru, who sadly passed away on Thursday, aged 76, sparking emotional words from Khosi chairman Kaizer Motaung:

“The person I recruited in 1985 from Swaziland has passed on. I’m talking about the late Ted Dumitru.

“You don’t talk anything except football with him. His veins were just football.”

Looking back over the season as a whole, Motaung said:

“We did our best but our best was not good enough… (but) there is another season coming and they (Mamelodi Sundowns) must watch us.

“Thanks to our supporters for being with us through thick and thin.”

AWARDS WINNERS:
Player of the Season: Willard Katsande (R100 000)
Players’ Player of the Season: Willard Katsande (R25 000)
Fans’ Player of the Season: Willard Katsande (R50 000)
Online Player of the Season: Willard Katsande (R20 000)
Golden Boot: George Lebese (R30 000)
Goal of the Season: Siphiwe Tshabalala (R20 000)
Most Improved Player: Lorenzo Gordinho (R30 000)
Fair Play Award: Siphiwe Tshabalala (R20000)
Chairman’s Award: Greivance Malunga
– Supersport