Excitement Builds Among Fans and Players As Premier Soccer League Awards Loom

• Orlando Pirates' Monnapule Saleng could win big at the 2022/23 Premier Soccer League Awards
• Mamelodi Sundowns dominated the event last season in terms of both awards and nominations
• Coaches, players, and football journalists have all had a say in the voting for certain categories

The 2022/23 Premier Soccer League Awards nominees have been announced, and excitement has been building to see who takes home the big prizes.

Mamelodi Sundowns dominated last season’s awards, and the Brazilians again have players in the running for the top prizes.

The winners will be announced on May 28 at 20:00, on SuperSport’s PSL Channel and SABC 1.

Sports Brief looks at who is nominated for the awards this year.

PSL Footballer of the Season

Nominees:

• Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates)
• Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Saleng has bagged 11 goals this season and has been a revelation for the Buccaneers. Williams has kept 18 cleans sheets in the league for Sundowns, while Mokoena has been a midfield maestro for the champions.

Itumeleng Khune's salary updates, biography and net worth 2022

Football

Last Year’s Winner: Peter Shalulile

Coach of the Season

Nominees:

• Gavin Hunt (SuperSport United)
• Rhulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Jose Riveiro (Orlando Pirates)

Hunt returned to the DStv Premiership, while Riveiro is enjoying a successful first spell in the league, and both are looking to topple Mokwena. The Brazilian boss took over the reins this season and led the side to the title.

Last Year’s Winner: Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena

Players' Player of the Season

Nominees:

• Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates)
• Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Saleng and Williams are in the running for more than one award this season, and will face competition from Masandawana’s captain for this award.

Last Year’s Winner: Peter Shalulile

Young Player of the Season

Nominees:

• Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United)
• Olwethu Makhanya (Stellenbosch FC)
• Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns)

The winner of this award is anyone's guess, as all three have enjoyed excellent seasons in the top flight. Maseko is only 20, Makhanya is 19, and Mailula is 21, so the future is bright for all three.

Chippa United players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings

Football

Last Year’s Winner: Luke Fleurs

Goalkeeper of the Season

Nominees:

• Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
• Salim Magoola (Richards Bay FC)
• Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Last Year’s Winner: Hugo Marques

Defender of the Season

Nominees:

• Given Msimango (TS Galaxy)
• Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)

Last Year’s Winner: Lyle Lakay

Midfielder of the Season

Nominees:

• Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates)
• Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Last Year’s Winner: Andile Jali

Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament

Nominees:

• Edwin Gyimah (Sekhukhune United)
• Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC)
• Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates)

Last Year’s Winner: Andile Jali

MTN8 Last Man Standing

Nominees:

• Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates)
• Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates)
• George Maluleka (AmaZulu FC)

Last Year’s Winner: Andile Jali

As noted by the PSL's website, the head coach of each DStv Premiership side voted for the Footballer of the Season award. They were not allowed to vote for their own players.

Mamelodi Sundowns players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings

Football

For the Players' Player of the Season award, voting was done by players in the Premiership. Each club was allowed a maximum of 30 votes, and no player was allowed to vote for their teammate.

For some of the other big awards, voting was done by a judging panel of football journalists, analysts, and commentators.

Sundowns win big at Awards

The best players in South African football were honoured at the Premier Soccer League’s annual Awards for 2021/2022.

The Awards are held at the end of every season and honour the best players in the MTN8, Nedbank Cup, and DStv Premiership.

Mamelodi Sundowns received the most nominations for the awards and dominated the winner’s list as well, Sports Brief reported.