Orlando Pirates, Durban City and emerging young talents feature prominently as the Premier Soccer League unveils the finalists for the 2025/26 season awards.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has officially announced the nominees for the 2025/26 PSL Awards, with standout performers from the Betway Premiership, Motsepe Foundation Championship and domestic cup competitions all receiving recognition for their outstanding campaigns.
Among the most closely watched categories is the Motsepe Foundation Championship Players’ Player of the Season, where three exciting young talents will battle for top honours. Kruger United’s Khethukuthula Ndlovu, Hungry Lions’ Ronaldo van Neel, and Cape Town City’s teenage sensation Emile Witbooi have all earned nominations after consistently impressive performances throughout the season.
Pirates Dominate MTN8 Recognition
Fresh from lifting the MTN8 trophy, Orlando Pirates have swept the nominations for the MTN8 Last Man Standing award. New signing Oswin Appollis, midfielder Kamogelo Sebelebele, and winger Tshepang Moremi make up an all-Pirates shortlist, underlining the club’s dominance during the competition.
The Buccaneers are also represented in the Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament category through defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who joins Marumo Gallants duo Washington Arubi and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo after their memorable run in the competition.
Durban City’s Fairytale Cup Run Rewarded
One of the biggest success stories of the season belongs to Durban City, whose remarkable Nedbank Cup campaign has been rewarded with multiple individual nominations.
Veteran goalkeeper Darren Keet, midfielder Siphamandla Ncanana, and Brooklyn Poggenpoel have all been shortlisted for the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament award following a series of outstanding performances.
Durban City’s impressive youth development is also reflected in the Most Promising Player of the Tournament category, where teammates Kyle Jurgens and Luphumlo Sifumba have been nominated alongside Seluleko Mahlambi of TS Galaxy.
Future Stars Shine in the DStv Diski Challenge
South Africa’s next generation of football stars is also being celebrated through the DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season award.
Mamelodi Sundowns youngster Bennet Mokoena headlines the shortlist alongside Orlando Pirates academy graduates Lebo Mohlala and Mpho Padime, with all three players enjoying outstanding campaigns in the country’s premier reserve league.
Transparent Voting Process
The PSL has once again emphasised the integrity and credibility of its awards process through category-specific voting systems designed to ensure fairness and impartiality.
- Footballer of the Season: Nominations and voting are conducted exclusively by Betway Premiership head coaches, who are prohibited from voting for players from their own clubs.
- Betway Premiership Players’ Player of the Season: Voted for exclusively by players, with each club allocated up to 30 votes. Players are not permitted to vote for their own teammates.
- Motsepe Foundation Championship Players’ Player of the Season: Championship players vote under the same regulations, with no votes allowed for teammates.
- DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season: Voting is carried out solely by Diski Challenge head coaches, who cannot vote for players from their own teams.
- Match Officials Awards: Determined exclusively by the SAFA National Referees Committee Panel.
- All Remaining Categories: Winners are selected by an independent judging panel comprising respected football journalists, broadcasters, analysts and commentators. The full judging panel will be published following the awards ceremony.
Celebrating Excellence Across South African Football
The 2025/26 PSL Awards celebrate excellence across every level of South African professional football, recognising not only established stars but also the emerging talents who represent the future of the game.
With Orlando Pirates, Durban City, Mamelodi Sundowns, Marumo Gallants, Cape Town City, Kruger United, Hungry Lions and TS Galaxy all strongly represented, this year’s awards promise to honour one of the most competitive and exciting domestic seasons in recent memory.
Fans can now eagerly await the announcement of the winners, as the league prepares to recognise the players, coaches and officials who have left their mark on South African football during the 2025/26 campaign.
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