Mofokeng joins elite list of youngest PSL Footballer of the Season winners

Relebohile Mofokeng has become one of the youngest players to win the Premier Soccer League’s Footballer of the Season award after helping Orlando Pirates complete a treble.

The 21-year-old, who turns 22 in October, collected the major individual honours at the end of a campaign in which Pirates secured three trophies. His success places him among the five youngest recipients of the award since it was introduced in the 2008/09 season.

Mofokeng has already taken another significant step in his career, having joined Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The move means the Orlando Pirates player is now living his dream after a standout season at club level.

Only one previous winner was younger when claiming the award.

Serero remains the youngest winner

Thulani Serero is still the youngest player to be named Footballer of the Season. He was 21 when he won the accolade for the 2010/11 campaign.

The former Ajax Cape Town talisman enjoyed a particularly successful awards season, also collecting the Players’ Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season prizes.

His performances helped secure a move to Ajax Amsterdam, marking an important stage in his career after his success in the Premier Soccer League.

Tau and Vilakazi among the youngest winners

Percy Tau was 24 when he received the top individual award following the 2017/18 season. He was also voted Players’ Player of the Season after inspiring Mamelodi Sundowns, known as The Brazilians, to the league title.

Tau’s performances and collection of awards led to a move to Europe, where he signed for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Sibusiso Vilakazi was slightly younger than Tau when he won the Footballer of the Season award for the 2013/14 campaign, taking the honour at 24 years and six months.

His victory was regarded as a surprise, although it formed part of a memorable season in which he also won Players’ Player of the Season and the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament award.

Vilakazi had come through Wits’ junior system before eventually joining Mamelodi Sundowns a season later. That move came before The Clever Boys won their first league title in 96 years.

Khune, Billiat and Lorch were 26

Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, Khama Billiat and former Orlando Pirates forward Thembinkosi Lorch were all 26 when they won the award.

Khune claimed four individual awards during his career, including Footballer of the 2012/13 Season. That campaign ended with Kaizer Chiefs completing a league double.

Billiat was recognised as the best player of the 2015/16 season after helping Mamelodi Sundowns also secure a league double.

Lorch won the coveted prize in 2019, although Orlando Pirates did not win the league during that campaign.

Mofokeng’s achievement therefore places him directly behind Serero in the age rankings, while Tau and Vilakazi complete the group of the five youngest players to have earned the accolade since its inception.