Ng’ambi named Player of the Season

Flames midfield maestro Robert Ng’ambi’s sheer quality continues to rise as he has been named South African top-flight league side Platinum Stars’ Player of the Season. He has also scooped the team’s Golden Boot Award.

The good news comes barely a week after another Malawian, Gabadinho Mhango, also scooped two awards at Bloemfontein Celtic. Ironically, both have also been nominated for PSL end of the season awards.

The award could have come as a timely inspiration for Ng’ambi, sadly though, he has been ruled out of this afternoon’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations second preliminary round, first leg encounter against Chad due to an ankle injury.

He missed the awards ceremony in Rustenburg on Thursday evening as he is still in camp with the Flames to inspire them in a show of patriotism.

Ng’ambi, an ultimate symbol of modesty, yesterday said he was humbled with the recognition.

“Special mention to my wife Jane and my family for always being there for me. Credit should also go to all those involved in particular my team-mates because for me to perform it is because of them. There’s good team spirit at Platinum. Management, technical staff and the supporters have also been wonderful,” he said.

Ng’ambi, who scored 12 goals in all competitions, inspired Dikwena to a successful season by securing a top eight finish on the final day of the season, with a 3-0 win over Ajax Cape Town, as well as winning two silverware—the MTN8  and Telkom Knockout.

Last season, he was also short-listed for the PSL Player of the Season Award and only to finish as a runner-up.

Two other top SA clubs—Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United—made advances on Ng’ambi, but Platinum made it clear that he was their hot property and they were not prepared to release him.