Following an impressive March in which he recorded five goals and three assists across six matches, Jovon Makama has been crowned the EA Sports FC EFL Young Player of the Month.
Hot on the heels of winning the PFA Player of the Month for League One, our exciting young forward has another gong to add to his collection. Upon receiving the award, Makama said:
“It means a lot, you put in a lot of work through the whole season and it’s good that at the end of a very strong month for myself that you’re rewarded with things like this. It means a lot to my family as well, there’s a lot of work behind the scenes with my family pushing me and also members of staff at the club.”
A key factor in his recent form has been Lincoln City’s tactical switch from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1, with Makama moving from a central striker role to a wider attacking position on the right. The change has suited his style, allowing him to utilise his speed and accuracy to deliver dangerous balls into the box and get on the scoresheet – including his first professional hat-trick, which came against Bristol Rovers.
Speaking about his adjustment to the new role, Makama said:
“[Michael Skubala] said that he wanted to play me on the right, which I’m not unfamiliar with. I played on the wing through my Academy years and it’s something I’ve always been able to do. I like to play on the right, it gives me a lot of space and time to drive at players and to get down the sides of player. It’s definitely been good, and the formation change has had a big impact on not only myself, but also us as a team.”
Reflecting on his hat-trick against Bristol Rovers and the support from Lincoln fans, he added:
“This season has had a lot of ups and a lot of downs and to have that moment of scoring my first professional hat-trick and to do it in the environment that I did, the fans were amazing that day. It’s definitely going to be a moment that I remember for the rest of my life.”
Makama also highlighted the influence of head coach Michael Skubala on his progress, explaining:
“Since he’s come to Lincoln City he’s always told me the potential he sees that I have and he is always having chats with me on a weekly basis, after sessions, before sessions. He is always giving me advice and keeping my confidence high and keeping me working hard every day. He’s definitely had a big impact on what I’ve achieved.”
He continued by emphasising the value of strong guidance at this stage of his career:
“It’s been a few years now that I’ve been in the first team environment, but being the age I am there’s still things that will always be new to me, so it’s definitely a good thing to have somebody like Michael there to be behind me, to give me that confidence and keep me pushing.”
Makama, began his youth career at Derby County, joined Lincoln City in 2020 as an Academy Scholar. He signed his first professional contract with the club in May 2021 and, like many young talents before him, made his professional debut in the Carabao Cup on 9 August 2022 against Doncaster Rovers. His first goal for Lincoln City came later that month in the EFL Trophy – now known as the Vertu Trophy – a competition that continues to be vital for offering young players first-team experience.