Under Palmer the Team of Choice have been the surprise package of the season so far, with some superb results, resulting in a lofty position of third place on the PSL standings.

Indeed, since taking over towards the end of last season, Palmer has lost only one game and showed his character and determination as he steered United past some tricky encounters towards the end of the last – such as the win over Sundowns.

In many interviews with Maritzburg players runs a common thread – Palmer’s treatment of his players and his easy-going personality is something appreciated by those working under his wing.

He agrees that man-management is as important as what happens on the field of play.

“Absolutely – the players spend a lot of their time at training and its important that they are happy, that they feel appreciated and are looked after – in that way they will always be prepared to sweat and work hard,” he explained.

An important change that Palmer, together with management has made, is to shift perceptions – going into the future United want to be seen as at least a top eight club.

“We felt that we needed to remove the stigma where United are always seen as one of the relegation candidates at the start of the season – we need to see ourselves as a top eight team and one capable of winning cups.

“We have the youngest team in the league and its great to see how the older experienced players have adopted the youngsters – we have a fantastic mix of youth and experience.”

Palmer is seen all over the country attending games from various leagues – he east sleeps and breathes football, and when not watching matches, he is enhancing his knowledge in other ways.

“You have to be passionate about the game and I go the extra mile to educate myself. I read a lot of books on football, by coaches like Pep Guardiola, Alex Fergusson and Jose Mourinho. Mourinho has a degree and one of the lessons I learnt from him was that when a player walks into the club, his ego needs to be left at the door.”

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The Official Announcement on the PSL website reads as follows:


Two of the men at the heart of their respective teams’ challenges for the coveted Absa Premiership title, Ian Palmer of Maritzburg United and Atusaye Nyondo of SuperSport United, have been lauded for setting the league alight with some impressive performances during the months of August and September.

Palmer has been named the Absa Premiership Coach of the Month for the August/September period after leading his charges to third spot on the Absa Premiership table. Maritzburg have remained unbeaten during this period and their impressive run has seen the Team of Choice win three and draw four of its first seven Absa Premiership matches.

One of those victories included a 2-1 victory over reigning Absa Premiership champions, Orlando Pirates.

SuperSport’s Malawian striker, Nyondo, has been in a rich vein of form with 4 strikes in just six games, just behind the league’s current top scorer, Katlego Mphela, who has scored 5 goals. His eye for goal, aided by his ability to create opportunities for his teammates, prompted the judging panel to award the title of Absa Premiership Player of the Month to the young striker.

Both Palmer and Nyondo walked away with R10 000 each, courtesy of Absa Card, and 4 “Absa Dream bags” filled with football equipment, which they will be able to donate to a school of their choice.

Judges praised Palmer for transforming the Pietermaritzburg outfit into one of the most formidable in the Absa Premiership. Maritzburg were facing relegation last season before Palmer not only steadied the ship, but lifted them to within striking distance of the pacesetters on the Absa Premiership log. One of the judging panel lauded Palmer for “bringing a fantastic atmosphere to the club” and for “being a father figure to the players”.

“Palmer has also succeeded to strike a balance in the team and this is reflected in the club’s scoring rate of 10 goals and conceding just six in seven games. He has shown respect for fellow coaches and constantly makes good comments in the media,” commented another of the judging panel.

Matsatsantsa came close to completing the “double”, with SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt just missing out on being named Absa Premiership Coach of the Month. He garnered the second highest amount of votes for masterminding the former champions’ blistering start to the Absa Premiership season. Gordon Igesund of Moroka Swallows was also in the running.

It was a two horse race between Nyondo and Mamelodi Sundowns’ striker Mphela in the race for the Absa Premiership Player of the Month, but in the end Nyondo received the honour for his more impressive strike rate. The judging panel noted his crucial brace in SuperSport’s 3-0 win over Black Leopards and his goals against Platinum Stars and Golden Arrows.

“The 20-year old has been an astute signing by Gavin Hunt in the off -season from First Division side, Carrara Kicks. He has single handedly helped the former three times champions to get to the top of the table,” added one of the judges.

Siyabonga Sangweni’s efforts for Orlando Pirates in defence were also noted by the panel and received the third highest amount of votes.

In another new innovation, Absa has decided to appoint former coach and football analyst, Farouk Khan, as convenor of the judges for all Absa Premiership Player and Coach of the Month voting panels. He has been appointed for the entire Absa Premiership season. Khan gave his insights during the voting session and was impressed by the quality of the candidates.

“I think this has been a great exercise to determine the overall quality and depth of South African football. I feel honoured to have been selected by Absa to be part of the process and I am delighted to make a contribution to the biggest and most lucrative league on the African continent,” added Khan.

Absa Chief Marketing and Communication Officer, Happy Ntshingila, congratulated all the winners. “This has been a magnificent start to the Absa Premiership season where we have seen the lead at the top change hands on a number of occasions. Our winners have had to be at their very best as the quality of football in the Absa Premiership has been of the highest order. Well done to all.”

PSL CEO Zola Majavu PSL CEO Zola Majavu also echoed his well wishes to the winning recipients.

“It’s great to see the commitment from players and coaches to be the best. Well done Atusaye and Ian for showing this commitment and going out there and doing your best,” Majavu said.