Orlando Pirates sweep PSL Awards as Relebohile Mofokeng crowned Footballer of the Season

Orlando Pirates’ treble-winning campaign was emphatically underlined at the PSL Awards 2025/26 as the Soweto club claimed almost every major honour, with Relebohile Mofokeng taking centre stage on a dominant night.

The 21-year-old, who recently completed a move to Belgian Pro League side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, captured a remarkable hat-trick of individual prizes: Betway Premiership Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season. His clean sweep reflected a standout year at the heart of a Pirates side that lifted the Betway Premiership, Carling Knockout and MTN8.

Pirates were named in every major Betway Premiership category bar one, reinforcing their status as the leading force in South African domestic football after a season in which they claimed a treble of trophies. The awards ceremony, broadcast live on SuperSport on Monday night, effectively became a celebration of the Sea Robbers’ dominance.

Pirates’ dominance across positions

The Buccaneers’ strength across the pitch was recognised with a run of positional accolades. Oswin Appolis was named Betway Premiership Midfielder of the Season, while Lebone Seeme took Defender of the Season. Between the posts, Sipho Chaine was rewarded with the Goalkeeper of the Season award.

Cemran Dansin added further gloss to Pirates’ haul by winning Betway Premiership Goal of the Season, reflecting the club’s attacking flair during the campaign. In the technical area, mentor Abdeslam Ouaddou was honoured as Betway Premiership Coach of the Season after guiding the club to league and cup success.

The only top-flight award to elude Pirates was the Betway Premiership Top Goalscorer accolade. That went to Golden Arrows striker Sede Junior Dion, who finished the season with 14 league goals.

Emotional tribute to Jayden Adams

Away from the club-focused prizes, the evening included a poignant tribute. The late Jayden Adams, who represented Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns, was posthumously given the PSL Chairman’s Award. The honour was presented by PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza in recognition of Adams’ contribution to South African football.

Honours across South African competitions

Recognition was also spread across the Motsepe Foundation Championship, DStv Diski Challenge and domestic cup competitions.

Cape Town City swept the key Motsepe Foundation Championship player categories. Emile Witbooi received the Players’ Player of the Season award, Mickey van den Hart was named Goalkeeper of the Season, and Gabriel Amato took Young Player of the Season. The division’s Top Goalscorer award was shared, with Ntuthuko Mlotshwa of Lerumo Lions and Ronaldo van Neel of Hungry Lion finishing level.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Bennet Mokoena was the standout performer in the DStv Diski Challenge. He secured both Player of the Season and Top Goalscorer, underlining his impact in the reserve league.

In the knockout competitions, Durban City goalkeeper Darren Keet was recognised as Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament, while TS Galaxy’s Seluleko Mahlambi collected the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player award.

Orlando Pirates’ influence extended beyond the league in the cups as well. Mbekezeli Mbokazi won Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament and Tshepang Moremi was named MTN8 Last Man Standing, further highlighting the club’s grip on the 2025/26 campaign.

Full list of PSL Awards 2025/26 winners

Betway Premiership – Footballer of the Season: Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates) – Players’ Player of the Season: Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates) – Top Goalscorer: Sede Junior Dion (Golden Arrows) – Midfielder of the Season: Oswin Appolis (Orlando Pirates) – Defender of the Season: Lebone Seeme (Orlando Pirates) – Goalkeeper of the Season: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates) – Young Player of the Season: Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates) – Goal of the Season: Cemran Dansin (Orlando Pirates) – Coach of the Season: Abdeslam Ouaddou (Orlando Pirates)

Motsepe Foundation Championship – Players’ Player of the Season: Emile Witbooi (Cape Town City) – Goalkeeper of the Season: Mickey van den Hart (Cape Town City) – Young Player of the Season: Gabriel Amato (Cape Town City) – Top Goalscorer: Ntuthuko Mlotshwa (Lerumo Lions) and Ronaldo van Neel (Hungry Lion)

DStv Diski Challenge – Player of the Season: Bennet Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns) – Top Goalscorer: Bennet Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Nedbank Cup – Player of the Tournament: Darren Keet (Durban City) – Most Promising Player: Seluleko Mahlambi (TS Galaxy)

Carling Knockout – Player of the Tournament: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates)

MTN8 – Last Man Standing: Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates)

PSL Chairman’s Award – Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns)