2019 PSL Awards: Celebration #Goals

After a gruelling season that demanded nothing short of the best from the league’s players, it’s time to celebrate the people who made #AbsaPrem as exciting as it was. The annual PSL Awards wrapped up a phenomenal season at the ICC in Durban this past Sunday and awarded coaches and players who have stood out. Here’s a quick highlights package of the Absa-sponsored award winners of the night.  

Goalkeeper of the Season

• Nominees:
  • Peter Leeuwenburgh (CTCFC)
  • Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)
  • Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Winner:
  • Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)

Williams had the following to say about his prestigious win: “This is an amazing feeling. I don’t have the words to describe how I feel but I’m overwhelmed – [especially] being the best keeper in a season with so much quality.”

Defender of the Season

• Nominees:
  • Thamsanqa Mkhize (CTCFC),
  • Ricardo Nascimento (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits)
• Winner:
  • Ricardo Nascimento (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Teammates expressed pride at Nascimento’s win, making note of the injuries Nascimento has overcome to achieve this accolade.

Midfielder of the Season

• Nominees:
  • Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates)
  • Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Winner:
  • Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Kekana gave a shout-out to his teammates and supporters when reflecting on his win: “Very proud, very excited and I’m dedicating this trophy to my teammates and the people in my village […] it’s their support that keeps me going.”

Young Player of the Season

• Nominees:
  • Tebogo Mokoena (SuperSport United)
  • Bongani Sam (Bloemfontein Celtic)
  • Gift Links (CTCFC)
• Winner:
  • Tebogo Mokoena (SuperSport United)

Having been nominated twice already, the win proved especially sweet for Mokoena.

Goal of the Season

• Nominees:
  • Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs)
  • Vincent Pule (Orlando Pirates)
  • Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United)
• Winner:
  • Vincent Pule (Orlando Pirates)

When asked how he would rate the goal of the season, Pule rated his goal one of the best he’s scored in his career.

Top Goal Scorer

• Winner:
  • Mwape Musonda (Black Leopards)
• Goal tally:
  • 16

Tallying a total of 16 goals, Musonda had some simple advice for those who want to follow in his footsteps: “Be composed in the box.”

Coach of the Season

• Nominees:
  • Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Milutin Sredojević (Orlando Pirates)
  • Benni McCarthy (Cape Town City FC / CTCFC)
• Winner:
  • Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

When asked about his feelings about winning, Mosimane had this to say: “You feel good, you feel proud – because you worked hard. We know where we come from [and] what’s more important is to recognise and acknowledge the people who have helped me win this award. I could never win this award without the players.”

Player’s Player of the Season

• Nominees:
  • Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates)
  • Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Winner:
  • Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates)

Footballer of the Season

• Nominees:
  • Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates)
  • Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Winner:
  • Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates)