For the second time in the 2006 SAA Supa8 tournament has The Amakhosi’s man-of-the-match had somewhat of the same initials, when Chiefs defeated Golden Arrows in the quarterfinals - it was Siyabonga Nkosi who won the man-of-the-match award.

As The Amakhosi ran out 2-1 winners against Moroka Swallows in the SAA Supa8 semifinals in Durban on Sunday, it was again a Chiefs player with the initials SN, who collected the man of the match accolade after Chiefs’ thrill-a-minute semifinal against Swallows.

Scara Ngobese was rewarded for his performance against Swallows by members of the media who thought that he was deserving of the honour, Kaizerchiefs.com managed to fire in a few questions to the Chiefs midfielder while he was on a flight back from Durban with the rest of his team-mates on Monday morning.

KC.COM: It was a good weekend for you scoring against Moroka Swallows in the Cup Semi Final and picking up the man-of-the-match award?




SN: A really great one and I thoroughly enjoyed it, Swallows gave us a good game and I was happy to be a part of such an exciting encounter. Scoring the goal was good for the team as a whole especially since it gave us the upper hand in the game and went a long way to lifting our game.

When it comes to the man-of-the-match award - actually that belongs to the entire team because it was the strong bond that we have as a team that helped us rise to the occasion. It is not Scara’s award but actually belongs to all the guys in the squad.

KC.COM: Going into the game the team were under scrutiny from the media, how do you think the team dealt with all the pre-match pressure?


SN: It was simple. We were aware of the fact that we were up against a mountain prior to the game and we all rallied around each other, we came together as one and we knew that we needed to tackle our challengers together.

Our overall performance and the result against Swallows proved just what a strong bond exists in our team and that we are a team of quality players capable of achieving a lot provided we work together as one.

KC.COM: How vital to the overall result of the game was it that we took the lead against Swallows?


SN: I cannot stress how important it was for us. Prior to the game we discussed the fact that in all of our game thus far, we have gone a goal down and had to chase the game from then onwards. We did not want to concede a goal and be dictated to, instead we wanted to dictate the game and the pace of play and I feel for most of the match we did that.

Swallows also played well and attacked and defended well, they need to be congratulated for the way they played, and it was unfortunate for them that we were more determined to win the game.

KC.COM: Finally as part of your man-of-the-match prize you won two tickets courtesy of South African Airway for your effort against Swallows. What do you plan to do with them?




SN: I would actually like to give them to my mother so that she can go on her holiday. She really deserves a holiday as he has to deal with me daily. I think it is only fair for me to give them to her.