David Obua had the time of his life during the 2005 – 2006 campaign for Chiefs as he made his debut for Chiefs. Once the season had already been underway, he was an instant hit with the Amakhosi fans and etched his place in their hearts.

With match winning performances against Chiefs fiercest rivals Orlando Pirates, both home and away, as well as scoring a decisive spot kick, which gave Chiefs victory over eventual Premier League Champions Sundowns -

It was in the return game against Sundowns that Obua’s star shone brightest as he scored a thunderous free kick, which left Andre Arendse glued to his goal line that really brought home the accolades for the Ugandan international. Although Chiefs lost in Pretoria to the Brazilians it was Obua’s first half free kick, which won him many fans.

When the season neared its end the roll over of what had been a successful season began to reap its rewards as he was nominated for two PSL awards. In addition he walked away with a number of media prizes, which included the MTN Soccer Zone Viewers Player of the year.

With that he also collected two more media awards in the shape of the Kick Off and Soccer Laduma Readers ‘player of the year’ awards. If that was not enough he collected a further five individual awards at the Kaizer Chiefs players awards ceremony in May.

It seems as though Obua has got used to that winning feeling as he has once again been nominated for an award for all of his heroics from last season as he is amongst a group of eight players vying for the ‘Jet Rookie of the year’ award.

The award which will be handed out at a ceremony on the 8th August, saw Obua’s magnificent performance against Orlando Pirates help him win the November player of the month award, which now places him in line for a R50 00 prize purse.

Obua, who has in all this time kept his head out of the clouds is modest about what could be another very rewarding awards ceremony for him as he added ‘I am still very humbled by all of this - believe me when I say that I really did not expect to be nominated for this award. I am very surprised to be up for this award”.

Obua is confident that he stands a good chance to win the Rookie of the year prize and the R50 000 which comes with the prize adding “whenever you are put up for these kinds of awards you have to believe that you can win them, I do feel that I had a good season last year and I hope those making the decision feel the same”.

With all the awards and praise that has been lauded upon him in the recent past Obua is aware that he has set the benchmark and is optimistic that he can surpass his performances from last season.

As he says he feels under no pressure ahead of this coming Saturday’s Telkom Charity Cup game against Sundowns “I know that people will be watching my every move this season and some will be hoping I fail and it is those people who I will be aiming to prove wrong and for our teams supporters I will lift my game and play better than I did in 05-06”.

One of the talking points of Obua’s season last term was a free kick he scored against Sundowns.

The all-purpose player has Sundowns once again on his radar - this time around the game is at the FNB Stadium. “I am really looking forward to the Telkom Charity Cup because the games are being played at FNB Stadium which is our home ground and we will be playing for the first time in the preseason in front of our home fans. Also I am relishing playing against Sundowns.

Being the PSL Champions puts them under a lot more pressure than we are, we will go out there and enjoy ourselves I am confident that if we relax and play our normal calm game of football we will win”.

Obua will have to wait a week to see if he will pocket the ‘Jet Club Rookie of the year award’ and the R50 000 purse, which he has promised to use part of the money to help certain charities in his native Uganda. For now he will first have to Samba past The Brazilians on Saturday morning to keep the party running until the 8th August.

Rookie of the year Nominees 2005 – 2006:

September 05 Lelo Mbele (Orlando Pirates), October 05 Bryce Moon (Ajax Cape Town), November 05 David Obua (Kaizer Chiefs), December 05 Siphiwe Tshabalala (Free State Stars), February 06 Ricardo Skippers (Santos), March 06 Katlego Mphela (Super Sport United), April 06 Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates), May 06 Kalvin Kadi (Jomo Cosmos)