Kaizer Chiefs could have their second consecutive winner of the PSL Jet Club Rookie of the month award this season as midfielder Sandile Zuke has been nominated with four other players as one of the best new comers for December 2007.

Amakhosi goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune walked away with the prize in November last year, and following on his award comes Chiefs second nomination in the form of Zuke. The 20-year-old midfielder who wears the number 20 jersey for The Amakhosi is competing against the likes of Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, Platinum Stars Bradley Grobelar, as well as SuperSport United’s Bongani Khumalo and the Nigerian youth international Prince Olumu of Free State Stars.

Zuke potential

Zuke after spending the past four years with the Kaizer Chiefs Junior and reserve teams was promoted at the start of the current season to the Chiefs first team. He made his debut back in August last year on the opening day of the season as The Amakhosi ran home comfortable 2-0 winners over Thanda Royal Zulu. He has made a further three appearances since then making it a total of four outings in all this season for Chiefs, all of which have been in league matches.

Zuke has been one of the beneficiaries of Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral’s policy of blooding more young talent, he is expected to feature heavily when the second half of the season resumes after the Africa Cup of Nations in mid February.

Ecstatic

Zuke was informed about his nomination on Monday and a clearly ecstatic Chiefs midfielder who was handed the nomination based on his performances against AmaZulu and Santos during the month of December said. “I said back in December that I am happy to be able to get the opportunity to make substitute appearances. All I needed to do was make the game time that I received count in my favour. This nomination to an extent demonstrates to me that I have done that, this nomination is another incentive for me to carry on working hard and it is nice for me to know that my efforts have not gone unnoticed. Thanks to my coach and technical staff as well as my team mates, they played their part in winning getting this nomination”.

Stiff competition

Of the other players who are up for the award of this Zuke added, “all of the young players in the league are hungry for success. This season we have already seen the emergence of some great potential young talent, the other four guys who are up against me have played exceptionally well and have all deserved the opportunities that they have been given”. As to who would eventually walk away with the R 5 000 prize money he added, “I hope that the winner of this award is me well just kidding, which ever of the guys it is he will be a worthy winner”.