Relebohile Mofokeng scoops hat-trick of accolades as Orlando Pirates sweep PSL awards

Relebohile Mofokeng signed off from South African football in style as the former Orlando Pirates forward claimed three major prizes at the Premier Soccer League’s annual awards, where the newly crowned champions dominated proceedings.

The ceremony, staged virtually on Monday night, saw Mofokeng named Footballer of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year, while he also retained the Young Player of the Year award he won last season. The 21-year-old’s clean sweep recognised a standout campaign in which Pirates captured the Betway Premiership title for the first time since 2012.

Mofokeng has already departed the club to join Belgium’s Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian Pro League, having completed his move after the World Cup. His treble of honours underlined the impact he made in Pirates’ title-winning run before his exit.

Pirates’ dominance recognised

Orlando Pirates’ supremacy over the domestic season was reflected in a haul of 10 awards on the night, with several of their key figures across the pitch acknowledged.

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, in his first season in charge of the Buccaneers, was named Coach of the Year after guiding Pirates to the league championship and bringing an end to Mamelodi Sundowns’ eight-year stranglehold on the Premiership title. The Moroccan oversaw a campaign in which Pirates not only finished top but also produced some of the most consistent performances in the division.

Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was rewarded for a record-breaking league season by being named Goalkeeper of the Season, having conceded just 12 goals. His defensive reliability formed the backbone of Pirates’ title push.

Lebone Seema earned the Defender of the Season award, recognising his role in a back line that was among the most secure in the competition. In midfield, Oswin Appollis was voted Midfielder of the Season after emerging as one of the Buccaneers’ most influential performers.

Camren Dansin collected the Goal of the Season award for his spectacular long-range strike in a 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns last year, a goal widely replayed and celebrated during the campaign.

Cup competitions add to Bucs’ tally

Pirates’ success extended beyond the league, with two more individual honours coming from domestic cup competitions.

Tshepang Moremi was named MTN8 Last Man Standing, the prize awarded to the most outstanding player in that tournament, after his decisive contributions in Pirates’ run.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi was voted Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament. Although he left Pirates in January to join Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer in the United States, the award recognised his pivotal role in helping the Buccaneers win the Carling Knockout in December.

Cup heroes elsewhere

Outside of Pirates’ dominance, other clubs also saw their standout performers recognised.

Durban City veteran goalkeeper Darren Keet was named Nedbank Cup Player of the Year after playing a key part in the club’s historic triumph in the competition. His performances were central to Durban City’s success in lifting the trophy.

TS Galaxy’s Seluleko Mahlambi collected the Nedbank Cup Young Player of the Tournament award. Despite TS Galaxy finishing as beaten finalists, Mahlambi’s displays throughout the competition were deemed the most impressive by an emerging player.

The awards capped a season in which Orlando Pirates reasserted themselves as the leading force in South African football, while offering individual recognition to several players whose performances shaped the campaign across league and cup competitions.