Pirates fans make their choice after Lungu’s flying start
JOHANNESBURG — Gamphani Lungu has needed just six matches to win over Orlando Pirates supporters, with the Zambian international overwhelmingly voted the club’s Player of the Month for August after an impressive start to life with the Soweto giants.
Lungu received 3,377 of the 6,750 votes cast by supporters, accounting for almost half of the total vote and comfortably beating defender Lebone Seema, who finished second with 1,405. Oswin Appollis was third with 848 votes.
The recognition follows a productive opening month in which Lungu scored three goals, provided one assist and created eight chances across six appearances and 392 minutes of football.
His contribution has been particularly valuable because Pirates have used the 27 year old in different roles, including at right back and in more advanced attacking positions. He arrived during the off season after joining from Siwelele, having previously spent seven seasons with SuperSport United.
Lungu made his mark almost immediately. In only his second Pirates appearance, he scored the decisive goal in extra time against Durban City to send the Buccaneers through their MTN8 quarterfinal before opening the scoring in a 3-0 league victory over Chippa United.
He continued his strong start by finding the net against Sekhukhune United as Pirates secured a 3-0 second leg victory and a 4-0 aggregate win to reach the MTN8 final for a fifth consecutive season.
The supporters’ award reflects an impressive beginning for a player who joined an already competitive Pirates squad and quickly established himself among its most productive performers.
Pirates began their Betway Premiership campaign unbeaten through their opening four league matches, while Lungu’s performances helped the club maintain its strong recent record in the MTN8.
His immediate challenge will be maintaining that momentum after picking up an injury during Pirates’ 4-0 league victory over Kruger United, where he scored from the penalty spot before being substituted early in the match.
For Pirates, however, the early evidence suggests their latest Zambian recruit has required very little time to make himself at home in Soweto.
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