SOCCER REPORTER
RONWEN Williams became only the third goalkeeper in the history of the PSL to win the PSL Footballer of the Season award to cap a season that saw him help Mamelodi Sundowns to an almost invincible campaign.
Williams was a central figure in the Brazilians going unbeaten in their 29 league matches, only to lose to Cape Town City on the final match day of a season that saw Sundowns capturing a seventh successive Premiership title.
The goalkeeper, who also keeps goals for the country’s senior national team, was honoured in the 2023/24 PSL Awards last night – his victory seeing him emulate his mentor Andre Arendse as well as Itumeleng Khune, both of whom also wore the Bafana Bafana jersey.
Williams also took the Goalkeeper of the Season award on a night when Sundowns and Orlando Pirates rightly dominated. His teammate Grant Kekana was crowned Defender of the Season, while Rulani Mokwena duly took home the Coach of the Season accolade.
Runners-up in the league championship for a second season running, Pirates earned the most awards – eight – thanks to a season that saw them win two knockout competitions in the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup.
Their midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi shone brightest with three gongs – the DStv Premiership Players’ Player of the Season, DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season, and Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament awards.
Tshegofatso Mabasa’s Lesley Manyathela Award for scoring the most goals in the season was long confirmed, with further delight for the Buccaneers in the scoring category coming in the form of Thabiso Lebitso taking the Goal of the Season awards for his strike against Kaizer Chiefs.
Relebohile Mofokeng joined in the party by lifting both the DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season and the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament awards. And with goalkeeper Sipho Chaine capturing the MTN8 Last Man Standing award, it was an all round great awards evening for the Bucs.
Devin Titus of Stellenbosch FC earned the Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament award while Sikhumbuzo Gasa and Romario Phiri won the Assistant Referee and Referee of the Season awards respectively.
Prince Nxumalo of JDR Stars won the Motsepe Foundation Championship Golden Boot. In the DStv Diski Challenge categories, Ntando Nkosi of Mamelodi Sundowns was named the Player of the Season, while Thabang Mahlangu of SuperSport United was the Top Goalscorer.