Night to savour for Zwane as he bags top awards
Sundowns dominate the honours with seven awards
Themba Zwane was the biggest winner at the Premier Soccer League awards last night, walking away with threemajor honours including R250,000 for the coveted Footballer of the Year.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, who enjoyed an exceptional season as his team won a third successive title, was also named players ’ player of the year and midfielder of the season.
Zwane, 31, was instrumental in aiding Downs overhaul Kaizer Chiefs at the top of the Premiership standings last season, netting an impressive 11 goals frommidfield. Overall, he pocketed R500,000 on the night, warding off a challenge from teammate Gaston Sirino, Samir Nurkovic of Chiefs and ex-Highlands Park man Peter Shalulile for the footballer of the year gong, which is voted for by Premiership coaches.
Predictably, Sundowns dominated last night ’ s event, held in a virtual form but televised by SuperSport, with a total of seven awards for the club.
The Brazilians ’ former coach, Pitso Mosimane, who has since departed for Egypt ’ s Al-Ahly, was named coach of the year for the third year running and a record sixth time overall, passing now Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt who has five.
Downs captain Hlompho Kekana ’ s brilliant strike against Cape Town City last August was voted goal of the season, beating goals from Chiefs duo Nurkovic and Lebogang Manyama.
Uruguayan Sirino was named the Telkom Knockout player of the tournament, while fellow Sundowns attacker Keletso Makgalwa walked awaywith the young player of the tournament for the Nedbank Cup, making it a memorable evening for the PSL treble winners.
Elsewhere, Baroka ’ s Goodman Mosele won the young player of the year, reserved for players 21 years of age or younger; SuperSport United ’ s Ronwen Williams was goalkeeper of the year, while Martizburg ’ s Rushine de Reuck was defender of the year.
All the winners:
Footballer of the Season: Themba Zwane (Sundowns – R250 000)
Absa Premiership Player ’ s Player of the Season: Zwane –
Coach of the Season: Pitso Mosimane - R75 000
Young Player of the Season: Gooman Mosele (Baroka – R50 000)
Goalkeeper of the Season: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport – R50 000)
Defender of the Season: Rushine de Reuck (Maritzburg - R50 000)
Midfielder of the Season:
Zwane – R50 000
Goal of the season: Hlompho
Kekana (Sundowns vs CPT City – R50 000)
Top scorers: Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park) and Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates – 16 goals each - to share R50 000) MTN8 Last Man Standing: Bradley Grobler (SuperSport – R80 000)
Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament: Gaston Sirino (Sundowns – R200 000) Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player: Keletso Makgalwa (Sundowns - R50 000)
Player of the Tournament: Victor Letsoalo (Celtic –
R150 000)
NFD top scorer: Abednego Mosiatlhaga: R50 000
Match Officials:
Referee of the Season: Jelly Chavani - R50 000
Assistant Referee of the Season: Shaun Oliver - R50 000