After several weeks and thousands of votes from the public, the winner of the KICK OFF Footballer of the Season Award brought to you by Ballantine’s Finest Whisky was announced as Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana centre-back Tefu Mashamaite.
His prestigious title will be celebrated at a high-profile ceremony on Thursday, 28 May 2015, where the Ballantine’s Finest Moment of the Season will also be revealed.
Mashamaite is the only player to have played every single minute of the 2014/15 Absa Premiership.
Says KICK OFF magazine editor, Richard Maguire: “In particular Tefu has had a superb campaign this season, first lifting the MTN8 trophy after taking over the club’s captaincy, and then had it finish on an even higher note when he lifted the Absa Premiership title recently. He was an ever present force for Kaizer Chiefs with their title-winning campaign and scored 3 goals in the process – a leader both on and off the field.”
Mashamaite has played over 2700 minutes for Amakhosi throughout the course of this season, completing his 100% record. Mashamaite becomes the first outfield player to do so since Thanduyise Khuboni in 2011/12, and the first defender to complete a 100% season since Rooi Mahamutsa and Wayne Arendse in 2010/11.
Ballantine’s brand manager, Daryl Dixon, concludes: “We’re delighted with the overwhelming response from the South African football fan community who voted for their KICK OFF Footballer of the Season! Congratulations to Tefu who most certainly made an Impression on all of the fans. He’s truly worthy of walking away with this top honour.”
For more information, visit www.kickoff.com, or get the latest issue of KICK OFF magazine – on sale now!
