Ballantine’s Finest Whisky presents the KICK OFF Footballer Of The Season Award nominees

Voting is now open for the KICK OFF Footballer Of The Season Awards presented by Ballantine’s Finest Whisky. The 16 nominees have been identified with voting taking place from 1 April 2015 at www.kickoff.com.

Editor of leading football magazine KICK OFF, Richard Maguire, says: “These 16 footballers are now on the shortlist and will be battling it out to be crowned with the prestigious title as South Africa’s number one footballer of the season.”

He adds: “These players have this season not only proven their worth on the field of play, complemented by their flair and determination, but also with their off the field skills such as leadership, coping under pressure and helping their team to grind out a result. Sportsmanship and of course their behaviour are other major aspects that are taken into consideration.”

Initial voting by the public takes place from 1 April until 13 April 2015, after which a further shortlist of 8 candidates will be announced on 14 April. A final round of public voting to select the Ballantine’s KICK OFF Football Player of the Season will then commence before the awards ceremony on 28 May 2015.

KICK OFF, the continent’s most successful football magazine, partnered up with the world’s second highest selling Scottish whisky, Ballantine’s, in order to honour these outstanding athletes.

Brand manager, Daryl Dixon, explains why Ballantine’s and KICK OFF make a perfect fit for the awards: “Ballantine’s Finest whisky inspires people to have the conviction to stay true. This ethos forms the basis of our global mantra, which is ‘Stay True. Leave an Impression.’ This ties in perfectly with the 16 shortlisted players who have left an impression at their respective clubs over the course of the season and we believe will continue to do so.”

The 16 shortlisted players for the KICK OFF Footballer Of The Season Awards presented by Ballantine’s Finest Whisky, are as follows:
·         Cole Alexander (Polokwane City)

·         Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town)

·         Dean Furman (Doncaster Rovers)

·         Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits)

·         Andile Jali (KV Oostende)

·         Lehlohonolo Majoro (Orlando Pirates)

·         Cuthbert Malajila (Mamelodi Sundowns)

·         Thabo Mnyaname (University of Pretoria)

·         Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates)

·         Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs)

·         Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs)

·         Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs)

·         Mulomowandau Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs)

·         Teko Modise (Mamelodi Sundowns)

·         Thuso Phala (SuperSport United)

·         Dove Wome (SuperSport United)

To vote for your favourite player for the KICK OFF Footballer of the Season Award presented by Ballantine’s Whisky, as well as the Finest Moment of the Season, visit www.kickoff.com. Alternatively you can email forum@kickoff.com (Vote FOTS in the subject line) or send a letter to KICK OFF at PO BOX 16368, Vlaeberg, 8018.