By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The 2020/21 PSL Awards winners have been announced at the prestigious event hosted on Sunday evening.
In the second consecutive virtual awards event due to the coronavirus pandemic still preventing a sense of normality in South African football, it capped off the inaugural Dstv Premiership campaign.
The main surprise of the awards came in the decision to name AmaZulu head coach Benni McCarthy as the DStv Premiership Coach of the Season, even though Rulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngithi won the title with Mamelodi Sundowns, losing just one match in the process.
McCarthy, who joined AmaZulu in December, did take Usuthu on a 16-game unbeaten run in the league, as they finished in their highest ever position in the Premiership, as runners up to Sundowns.
Sundowns Denis Onyango and Themba Zwane won DStv Premiership Goalkeeper and Midfielder of the season respectively, while Swallows FC’s Njabulo Ngcobo won DStv Premiership Defender of the Season.
Baroka FC striker Evidence Makgopa, 21, who scored seven goals for Bakgaga this season, won the DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season Award.
The special PSL Chairman’s award went to Isilo Samabandla, King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu and General Bantu Holomisa.
2021 PSL Awards Winners.
PSL Footballer of the Season – Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Player’s Player of the Season – Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Coach of the Season – Benni McCarthy (AmaZulu FC)
DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season (under 21) – Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC)
DStv Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season – Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Defender of the Season – Njabulo Ngcobo (Swallows FC)
DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season – Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Goal of the season – Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United)
DStv Premiership Top Goalscorer – Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United)- 16 Goals
MTN8 Last Man Standing – Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates)
Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player (Under 23) – Khanyisa Mayo (Richards Bay)
Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament – Washington Arubi (Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila).