Goalkeeper Charles Uirab won the Player of the Season award at Cymot SKW’s prize giving ceremony for the 2011/12 season on May 30.
Uirab was one of SKW’s most consistent performers and only conceded 14 goals throughout the 22-round Premier League.
That was the second least goals conceded behind champions Black Africa who conceded 12 goals.
SKW spokesman Rolf Beiter said that Uirab was SKW’s stand out performer of the season due to his consistent performances and professionalism, his attitude at practice and his unbelievable saves. SKW’s defensive midfielder Edy Mangoumou came a close second in the Player of the Season category.
The Most Improved Player of the Season award was won by SKW’s young defender Elvis Tjivasera. According to Beiter, the club had little expectations of Tjivesera after he joined the club at the beginning of the season as an unknown player, but he soon developed into a stalwart in the defence and made the central defensive position his own.
The Most Enthusiastic Young Player of the Season award was won by midfielder Shaanyene “Titus” Nailongo.
“This midfielder could not break into the squad during the first round but when an injury forced the coaches to improvise on the right fullback position he grabbed the opportunity with both hands and established himself as part of the starting eleven,” Beiter said.
The award for the Sportiest Player was won by SKW’s Zambian midfielder Chepela Chepela.
“Chepela Chepela, was honoured for his all round contribution on and off the field and his humbleness and willingness to serve the team. As Player of the Season for the 2010/11 season Chepela has served Cymot SKW well in the four seasons that he was part of the squad. Unfortunately he has decided to end his career in Namibia and has already returned back to Zambia,” Beiter said.
The Top Goal Scorer award was won by Panduleni “Kaka” Nekundi, he contributed one third of the teams goals and often changed the game when coming on as a substitute.
In his address to the players the chairperson of SKW Football, Ralph Ellinger, praised the squad and coaches for the unexpectedly good performance and fifth place on the log:
“With a virtually new squad, at the very young average age of 23, and with 10 players not having tasted NPL action before this season we were able to surprise the football community in Namibia. It is truly a remarkable achievement for this team to have pushed for second place right up to the last game of the season. The members of SKW and its management would like to congratulate you on this performance,” he said.
“We are also glad to report that Head Coach Lucky Kakuva, who in our eyes ranks as one of the top coaches in Namibia, has extended his stay at Cymot SKW. Lucky has been with us for close to 10 years and is part of the family. He has been part of the rise of Cymot SKW and is now in charge of one of the most exciting teams in the Namibian Premier League,” he added.
On the back of this performance Cymot SKW has already re-signed 11 players for the next season. Said Head Coach Lucky Kakuva:
“The players have earned their position in next year’s squad and with three or four players from the youth academy pushing for places in the NPL team, competition in the new look squad will be very tight. The team has shown maturity beyond their years and with Cymot SKW having conceded the second least goals in the competition, hopes are high that we can improve on our performance during the 2012/13 season.”