Zambian Mbesuma named South African Footballer of

Zambian Mbesuma named South African Footballer of the Year JOHANNESBURG, May 25 (AFP) - Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma was named South African Footballer of the Year at an end-of-season awards ceremony Wednesday. Another striker, Sandile Ndlovu, topped the Players Player of the Year poll and former national team striker Pitso Mosimane of SuperSport United won the Coach of the Year category. Mbesuma, 21, was spotted playing for Zambia against South Africa in a 2004 Olympic Games qualifier and his 25 goals played a pivotal role as Chiefs retained the league title last Sunday in thrilling climax. The rising star from the mining town of Ndola is also a key figure for resurgent Zambia as they challenge Senegal and Togo for a place at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Ndlovu was considered surplus to requirements by star-studded Mamelodi Sundowns and loaned to unfashionable Dynamos, where he scored 18 goals, a tally surpassed only by Mbesuma. SuperSport finished fourth in the league under Mosimane, won the pre-season Supa8 Cup, finished runners-up in the League Cup and are favoured to beat relegated Wits University Saturday in the South African Cup final. dl/pi05 AFP 252010 GMT MAY 05