Gaborone United's Zimbabwean defender Tatenda Gora is in the running for the 2024/25 Botswana FNB Premiership Defender of the Year Award after he was named among four defenders to have excelled this season.
Gora is only in his first full season at Gaborone United after joining in January 2024 on a six - month deal.
But after impressing during the short term deal, the former GreenFuel fullback earned himself another contract to stay in the Botswana top flight league.
Gora has been a stand-out player for The Reds at the heart of their defence this season, winning the hearts of football lovers with his rock solid performances.
He has featured in all 28 league games ahead of this weekend games scoring give goals along the way.
The winner of the 25 000 pula prize money for the award will be announced at the Botswana Premier League Awards scheduled to take place on May 25.
Gora expressed delight to be recognised in his first full season in the Botswana league.
"I feel very much blessed and I think I played my part very well in contributing results both in defence and offensively for the team to be where it is right now. I have five goals and 13 cleansheets so far going into this weekend's matches and I am looking forward to getting more," Gora told this publication.
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Other players in the running for the same accolade include Kemoneetswe Mmangwedi of TAFIC, Thami Zulu who plays for Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Sua Flamingoes'Goitseone Legopelo.
Gaborone United went into the weekend matches sitting on top of the standings with 60 points from 28 matches and were scheduled to play second placed Jwaneng Galaxy in a top of the table clash at the BPSC home yesterday.
Six Gaborone United players and their coach Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev are in the running for the league's end of year awards.
Pantev has been nominated for the Coach of the Season award with team captain Lebogang Ditsele is a Player of the Season and Midfielder of the Season nominee.
Karabo Phiri is chasing the Midfielder of the Season accolade, Thabo Motswagole fighting for the Goalkeeper of the Season award and Omphile Ramoagi has been nominated for Young Player of the Season nominee.
Gora is the sixth player from the club vying for the season's awards.
He is already aiming for a memorable finish to the season.
"The target for me is to keep as many cleansheets as possible and to win them league title and compete in the Caf Champions' League," Gora said.
"I think the performance I have put in now in Botswana can open avenues for better pastures outside and national team call ups. I hope the national team coaches will consider me for the Cosafa Championshipships after this.
"My biggest dream is to keep excelling with my career till I reach greater heights like playing in Europe and wearing national team colours representing my country and big tournaments like AFCON and World Cup finals."
The 26 year-old footballer also reflected on his stay in Botswana since his arrival early last year.
"It all started as a six-month trial for the second half of last season and I managed to show what I am capable of. It wasn’t easy to cope up but i put in a good fight," Gora said.
"But look at me now I'm one of the best in the league with my team Gaborone united on top of the log standings being nominated as a defender of the season. All I can say is it has been a fruitful stay here in Botswana."
The Botswana Premier Soccer League has become one of the best in the region and last season Orapa United beat Dynamos to qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup mini league phase.
Warriors' winger Daniel Msendami, now at Marumo Gallants in the South Africa top flight league, also played in Botswana for Jwaneng Galaxy.
