City captain wins big at Awards

THE Lebogang Manyama fairytale continued last night after the Cape Town City captain walked away with three accolades at the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) annual awards gala dinner, including the coveted Footballer of the Season award.

Manyama saw off stiff competition from Bidvest Wits captain Thulani Hlatshwayo and Mamelodi Sundowns veteran Hlompho Kekana to win the night’s main award – the Footballer of the Season gong.

The night belonged to Manyama as he also walked away with the Player’s Player of the Season and the Top Goalscorer awards.

Manyama was nominated in four categories but his City colleague Aubrey Ngoma stopped him dead in his tracks when he edged his captain to win the Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament award.

But Manyama was always expected to be crowned as SA football’s best player and the man himself said a few days ago he was confident of walking away with the accolade.

‘‘I have to be confident that I will win the award but at the same time I have to be humble and also respect the two gentlemen (Hlatshwayo and Kekana)‚” Manyama said at the time.

Absa premiership champions Bidvest Wits also enjoyed a successful night as Gavin Hunt won the coach of the season award while Darren Keet was recognised as the league’s best goalkeeper after helping the club to win a maiden title in its 95-year existence in May.

Wits also enjoyed wins, as captain Thulani Hlatshwayo won the defender of the season gong, Phakamani Mahlambi won the young player of the season and veteran Daine Klate was crowned as the MTN8 Last Man Standing. All the winners were: ● PSL Footballer of the Season: Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City)

● Absa Premiership Top Goalscorer: Manyama – Winner

● Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season: Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits)

● Absa Premiership Defender of the Season: Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits)

● Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season: Aubrey Ngoma (Cape Town City)

● Absa Premiership Young Player of the Season: Phakamani Mahlambi (Bidvest Wits)

● Absa Premiership Coach of the Season: Gavin Hunt (Bidvest Wits)

● Absa-lutely Awesome Goal of the Season: Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs v SuperSport United)

● NFD Top Goalscorer: Sedwyn George (Royal Eagles)

● Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament: Aubrey Ngoma (Cape Town City)

● Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament: Nduduzo Sibiya (Golden Arrows)

● Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament: Abbubaker Mobara (Orlando Pirates)

● MTN 8 Last Man Standing: Daine Klate (Bidvest Wits) MATCH OFFICIALS ● Referee of the Season: Phelelani Ndaba

● Assistant Pupuma

● Multichoice Diski Challenge Most precious find: Keletso Makgalwa (Mamelodi Sundowns)

● Top Goalscorer: Tshegofatso Mabaso (Bloemfontein Celtic) — DDR Referee: Luvuyo