No surprises for PSL awards

MAMELODI Sundowns players dominate the 2019/20 season Premier Soccer League Awards nominations. The list of nominees was announced virtually by the league yesterday and every category except one has a name, and in some cases two, from the Premiership champions.

Unsurprisingly, league runners-up Kaizer Chiefs have the second highest number of nominees after Sundowns following their dominant displays for the best part of the season.

Amakhosi lost the top spot to the Brazilians on the final match day of the league. This cost their coach Ernst Middendorp his job but the German will get consolation from his nomination alongside Pitso Mosimane and Maritzburg United’s Eric Tinkler in the Coach of the Season category.

Veteran midfielder and Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana also made the list in the Players Player of the Season section where he is pitted against his teammate Themba Zwane and Glamour Boy Lebogang Manyama.

The awards winners will be announced during a virtual ceremony next Thursday, October 22 from 8pm. Full list of nominees: Footballer of the season: Samir Nurkovic (Kaizer Chiefs), Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park), Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns), Themba Zwane (Sundowns).

Absa Premiership Players’ Player of the Season: Hlompho Kekana (Sundowns), Lebogang Manyama (Chiefs), Themba Zwane (Sundowns).

Absa Premiership Coach of the Season: Ernst Middendorp (Chiefs), Pitso Mosimane (Sundowns), Eric Tinkler (Maritzburg United).

Absa Premiership Young Player of the Season: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg), Goodman Mosele (Baroka FC), Sphesihle Maduna (AmaZulu).

Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season: Daniel Akpeyi (Chiefs), Dennis Onyango ( Sundowns), Ronwen Williams ( SuperSport United).

Absa Premiership Defender of the Season: Daniel Cardoso (Chiefs), Rushine de Reuck (Maritzburg), Motjeka Madisha (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season: Lebogang Manyama (Chiefs), Thabo Nodada (Cape Town City), Themba Zwane (Sundowns). | Eshlin Vedan