The 26-year-old, who joined from rivals SuperSport United in January 2022, was the fulcrum of yet another successful league campaign for Masandawana, proving a versatile and commanding anchor in midfield, be it with some relentless marking or a deft touch to ignite his team’s potent attacking arsenal.
He was also named Midfielder of the Season.
owever, the players’ favourite was Monnapule Saleng, the buccaneering Pirates winger whose 11 goals was instrumental in his side not becoming a blunt attacking force in the league.
He was also only one of three players to score a hat-trick this season, notably having the honour of being the only one to score all three of his goals from open play.
Saleng also walked away with the MTN 8 Player of the Tournament award, where he was the outstanding presence in a title-winning run.
Despite Pirates claiming a second piece of silverware on Saturday in beating Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup final, it was the Stellenbosch duo of Iqraam Rayners and Olwethu Makhanya that dominated the awards categories.
Rayners was a menacing figure upfront as duly rewarded with the Player of the Tournament award though his league form in the second half of the season made him a viable candidate for the top award, a mid-season return to the Western Cape proving inspired as he netted nine times.
Sundowns mastermind Rulani Mokwena was given the Coach of the Season award though that honour will feel hollow in light of the side’s failure to win the CAF Champions League, which many believe was the true test of their mettle.
