With the PSL season having drawn to an end, the PSL now has its focus on the PSL awards, which rewards the top players with awards and prize money. Many football pundits have had their say as to see who will take home the big awards, and now it is our turn here at Y-Not Culture to have our say.
The nominees are as follows:
PSL Footballer of the Season
*voted for by 16 PSL coaches
Mulomowandau Mathoho
Cole Alexander
Tefu Mashamaite
One of the two big awards of this season will have to go to the Kaizer Chiefs’ rock, Tefu Mashamaite. The defender had a stellar season and was one of the main reasons why Chiefs have the best defence in the league. They managed to concede ten fewer goals than the second-best defence in the league. What pips him ahead of Tower is the fact that he played every minute of the title-winning campaign. This is one for the history books.
Absa Premiership Players’ Player of the Season
*voted for by all PSL players
Tefu Mashamaite
Teko Modise
Mulomowandau Mathoho
Once again, I will go for Tefu because of the season he has had and having played every minute in the PSL is a great achievement that his fellow professionals will have to applaud. This is by far the most important award to the players because their fellow players vote for it.
Absa Premiership Young Player of the Season
Rivaldo Coetzee
Phumlani Ntshangase
Abbubaker Mobara
This one has to go to Rivaldo Coetzee because of his performances for Ajax. I am not going to look at his Bafana performance because this is purely based on his PSL performances. Although it should be noted that his performances were strong enough to make him a regular in the Bafana setup.
Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season
Anssi Jaakkola
Patrick Tignyemb
Moeneeb Josephs
Anssi Jaakola has been rather impressive for Ajax this season, having pulled off many great performances. To ensure that the club finishes in 5th. Ajax is not the strongest side defensively, and his performances helped cover the cracks.
Absa Premiership Defender of the Season
Thulani Hlatshwayo
Tefu Mashamaite
Mulomowandau Mathoho
Thulani Hlatshwayo and Tower have had some amazing seasons, but Tefu is my favourite for this award. It cannot be overlooked that he led the best defence in the league.
Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season
Teko Modise
Cole Alexander
Willard Katsande
Cole Alexander has been a thorn in many teams’ eyes. Polokwane City midfielder has had a fantastic season by helping the orange team from Limpopo avoid the drop by finishing 12th. Considering that Polokwane was the favourite to drop early in the season.
Absa Premiership Top Scorer
Moeketsi Sekola
This young man was an unlikely candidate at the start of the season, but his perseverance helped him bag 14 goals, which is rather decent considering past seasons.
Absa-lutely Awesome Goal of the Season
Aubrey Ngoma
David Zulu
Menzi Masuku
All goals are beautiful, but these are the models of football. They’re hot, and they’re the reason for all the football fans to have a “football-gasm.” David Zulu and Menzi Masuku’s goals were amazing, but I will have to go with David Zulu on this one because of the skill that went into that goal. The only memorable thing to happen to Chippa United this season
Absa Premiership Coach of the Season
Stuart Baxter
Pitso Mosimane
Kosta Panic
Pitso has been inconsistent, and I don’t believe he should be on this list. Baxter won the league, and Papic saved Polokwane City from certain relegation. Pitso had a costly squad that was not managed properly. Stuart Baxter has to be the winner for his outstanding season with the Chiefs.
MTN Last Man Standing
George Maluleka
Mandla Masango
Tefu Mashamaite
Tefu once again played an integral role in the success of Chiefs, but the Last Man Standing should go to Mandla Masango because of the superb form he was in during the MTN 8 competition. He inspired Chiefs.to the title and also forced his way into the Bafana setup.
Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament
Dove Wome
Thuso Phala
Siyabonga Mpontshane
Thuso Phala should take this one. He appears to enjoy cup competitions because he is always present during them. He had a great tournament with SuperSport United, helping them lift the title.
Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament
Tashreeq Morris
Teko Modise
David Mathebula
So far in the Nedbank Cup, you have to say that this award is between Morris and Teko. The winner of this award will be the winner of the Cup on the 16th of May 2015 purely because I believe the winner should come from the winning team. I wouldn’t want to make a prediction and then be let down by the outcome of the night. If I had to choose now, I would go for Teko.
Nedbank Cup Young Player of the Tournament
Tashreeq Morris
Bantu Mzwakali
Riyaad Norodien
Tashreeq Morris will most definitely win this one. The young man is competing with the seasoned campaigners and should not be afraid to pick this one up.
I hope to get all my predictions correct because we all do not like it when we are wrong. I also want to Congratulate the nominees for being recognised for their hard work throughout the season. We wish them well for Sunday and hope we get a great Nedbank Cup final between the Urban Warriors and Masandawana. Your weekend plans should be to travel to Port Elizabeth for the final on Saturday and Sunday evening at the Sandton Convention Center for the awards ceremony, or be like us and watch it on TV, broadcast on SuperSport.