Forget champagne, man of the match in South Africa wins 5GB of mobile data

BEING a mobile star has a new meaning in South African football.

Forget champagne, Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Hlompho Kekana picked up a 5GB chunk of mobile data when he was named man of the match.

Such a prize might not quite have the same impact if one day he reflects on his career with his grandchildren and shows off photos of his mantelpiece.

But actually it is a valued possession in the Rainbow Nation – because broadband there is expensive and erratic.

It also sent Twitter users scrambling to reveal other unusual awards in African football.

In Zimbabwe, one player picked up 24 bottles of lager.

From Ghana comes the stunningly un-photogenic award of a pair of sports sandals.

And, perhaps best of all, a player in Botswana won a tub full of groceries.

All these offerings seem far more sensible than champers.

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Alcohol is, after all, one of the things that leading sportsmen and women should generally avoid.

And, with many African stars so keen to land a move to Europe, what could be more useful for when your agent calls than phone data?

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