DEON Hotto is in line for at least another award in South Africa after being nominated for Orlando Pirates’ player of the season prize on Wednesday.
He is the only import on the seven-man shortlist for the club’s top accolade. Also on the list are Vincent Pule, Thabang Monare, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Paseka Mako, Ben Motshwari and Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Hotto has also been nominated for the goal-of-the-season prize. His precise finish after just 47 seconds against Cape Town City is also a South African Premiership landmark strike, being the fastest goal scored in the top division to date.
The Namibian international helped Orlando Pirates triumph in the MTN8 and to reach fourth place on the DStv Premiership.
Hotto, who had an outstanding debut season with the Buccaneers, was named the MTN8 best player.
He finds himself making the list following a sterling individual season which saw him become an indispensable utility player at the club.
The 29-year-old, who mostly played as winger in his career, was deployed as a striker, wing back or midfielder, becoming a very important player at Pirates.
Hotto scored eight goals for the Buccaneers, while making seven assists. That he has won the Wafa Wafa Last Man Standing at the Premier Soccer League awards makes him arguably Bucs’ top performer.
Another notable nominee is Motshwari, who was also in line to win the MTN8 Last Man Standing, only to be beaten by Hotto.
Motshwari has been consistent for the Buccaneers despite the stiff competition in the midfield at the Soweto giants.
The midfielder made over 30 appearances for the club competing in the league, the MTN8, Nedbank Cup and the Caf Confederation Cup.
Monare, who was also a consistent player in Bucs in his first season with the club, got the nod for his performances in midfield.
Also a former Bidvest Wits player like Motshwari and Hotto, Monare has fitted in like a glove at the club.
Hlatshwayo also made the list despite an inconsistent season with Orlando Pirates.
The defender was blamed for some of the club’s losses, and many may remember the game against Swallows FC, when he couldn’t clear a cross allowing Kamogelo Mahlatsi to level the scores in a game which ended 1-1. – Additional reporting by The Citizen.
