Pirates, Sundowns set to dominate 2025/26 PSL Awards

Newly crowned Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates and CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns are expected to dominate the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League (PSL) Awards, which will be held on Monday evening at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, with the ceremony broadcast live on SuperSport PSL and SABC Sport.

Pirates head into the prestigious awards as overwhelming favourites after ending their 14-year wait for the league title while also lifting the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies. Sundowns, despite surrendering the league crown, remain strongly represented after winning the CAF Champions League and producing another outstanding domestic campaign.

The biggest prize of the night, the PSL Footballer of the Season, will be contested by Orlando Pirates duo Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng, alongside Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena. In the Betway Premiership Players’ Player of the Season category, Pirates completely dominate the shortlist with Appollis, Mofokeng and Kamogelo Sebelebele all nominated.

The race for Coach of the Season pits Pirates mentor Abdeslam Ouaddou against Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso and the Kaizer Chiefs coaching partnership of Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.

For the Goalkeeper of the Season award, Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Chaine faces competition from Ricardo Goss of Siwelele FC and Brandon Petersen of Kaizer Chiefs. The Defender of the Season nominees are Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebone Seema (Orlando Pirates) and Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates).

In the Midfielder of the Season category, Appollis and Mofokeng once again represent Pirates, while Mokoena completes the three-man shortlist.

The Young Player of the Season nominees are Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Isaac Cisse (Lamontville Golden Arrows) and Seluleko Mahlambi (TS Galaxy). The Goal of the Season award will be contested by Cemran Dansin (Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Ndlovu (Golden Arrows) and Glody Lilepo (Kaizer Chiefs).

Pirates also enjoy complete dominance in the MTN8 Last Man Standing category through Oswin Appollis, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Tshepang Moremi. The Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament nominees are Washington Arubi and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo of Marumo Gallants together with Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

The Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament features Durban City trio Darren Keet, Siphamandla Ncanana and Brooklyn Poggenpoel, while the Most Promising Player of the Tournament award will be contested by Kyle Jurgens, Luphumlo Sifumba (both Durban City) and Seluleko Mahlambi (TS Galaxy).

The PSL will also recognise excellence in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, where the Players’ Player of the Season nominees are Khethukuthula Ndlovu (Kruger United), Ronaldo van Neel (Hungry Lions) and Emile Witbooi (Cape Town City).

The country’s top reserve league talent will also be honoured in the DStv Diski Challenge (MDC) Player of the Season category. Orlando Pirates pair Lebo Mohlala and Mpho Padime have been nominated alongside Bennet Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns after impressive campaigns in the reserve league.

With Pirates dominating the nomination lists across nearly every major category and Sundowns boasting several standout performers, Monday night’s ceremony promises to celebrate another memorable season of South African football while recognising the players, coaches and rising stars who excelled during the 2025/26 campaign.