Orlando Pirates demonstrated near-total success at the PSL Awards 2025/26 ceremony, securing the overwhelming majority of prestigious awards during the event, which was broadcast on SuperSport on Monday evening.
Orlando Pirates demonstrated near-total success at the PSL Awards 2025/26 ceremony, securing the overwhelming majority of prestigious awards during the event, which was broadcast on SuperSport on Monday evening.
Following a successful season where the team won three trophies—Betway Premiership, Carling Knockout, and MTN8—the 'Sea Robbers' solidified their status as the best club in the country by dominating the awards ceremony.
Orlando Pirates won the awards for 'Player of the Year,' 'Players' Player of the Year,' 'Midfielder of the Year,' 'Defender of the Year,' 'Goalkeeper of the Year,' 'Young Player of the Year,' and 'Goal of the Year.' Additionally, mentor Abdeslam Waddu was recognized as Coach of the Year.
The main award went to Relobokhile Mofokeng, who has currently moved to Belgian Pro League club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The 21-year-old footballer was also named Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
The only category the 'Bucs' failed to win was the Top Scorer award, which went to Sede Junior Dionu from Golden Arrows for 14 goals scored during the campaign.
During the solemn event, Dr. Irwin Khoza presented the PSL Presidential Award in memory of the late Jayden Adams from the clubs Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Various winners across different tournaments were announced during the ceremony. Among them: Relobokhile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates) was recognized as the Betway Premiership Player of the Year and Betway Premiership Players' Player of the Year. Oswin Appolis (Orlando Pirates) became Midfielder of the Year, and Lebone Seleme (Orlando Pirates) was named Defender of the Year.
Sifo Chain (Orlando Pirates) was chosen as the Betway Premiership Goalkeeper of the Year, and Cemran Dansin (Orlando Pirates) as Goal of the Year. Abdeslam Waddu (Orlando Pirates) was recognized as Coach of the Year.
In the Motsepe Foundation Championship, Emile Witbui (Cape Town City) received the Players' Player of the Year award, Mickey van den Hart (Cape Town City) as Goalkeeper of the Year, and Gabriel Amato (Cape Town City) as Young Player of the Year. In this same league, Ntutuko Mlothswa (Lerumo Lions) and Ronaldo van Neel (Hungry Lion) were the Top Scorers.
Bennett Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns) was the winner in the DStv Diski Challenge, also taking home the DStv Diski Challenge Top Scorer title. Darren Kith (Durban City) received the Nedbank Cup Tournament Player award, and Seluleko Malambi (TS Galaxy) was named Most Promising Player.
In the Carling Knockout, Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates) was the winner, and in the MTN8, Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates) was the winner. Finally, the PSL Presidential Award was presented to Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns).
The PSL Awards 2025/2026 ceremony, which will take place on Monday, July 27th, will differ from traditional end-of-season parties. Instead, it is intended to serve as an incentive for athletes by showing them the opportunities available in the upcoming season.
The league champions, Orlando Pirates, are expected to dominate the event as they have received the lion's share of nominations. Specifically, they overwhelmingly lead in the 'PSL Player of the Year' category, which includes Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, and Kamogelo Sebelebele.
Mamelodi Sundowns also show strong standing, while Durban City, who are vying for a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup, are represented in at least two Nedbank Cup categories due to their victory in the last cup tournament of the season.
Kaizer Chiefs has been nominated in three categories, including 'Coach of the Year' and 'Goalkeeper of the Year,' but their most likely chance lies in the 'Goal of the Year' category with Glody Lilepo participating.
As teams are already deeply involved in their pre-season programs, and the transfer window has taken a clear direction following Mofokeng's move to Belgium, the ceremony should function as a motivational speech for all players before the 2026/2027 season.
Relebohile Mofokeng is a favorite in four categories: 'Player of the Year,' 'PSL Player of the Year,' 'Midfielder of the Year,' and 'Young Player of the Year.' His competitors in the main categories are Teboho Mokoena from Sundowns and winger Bafana Bafana Appollis.
However, Seluleko Mahlambi from TS Galaxy and Isaac Cissé from Lamontville Golden Arrows stand to gain the most motivation, competing for the 'Young Player of the Year' award. Twenty-one-year-old Mahlambi had a breakthrough season at Galaxy, remaining an active player even after the Mbombela club sold some of its best players, including Sebelebele, Lebone Seema, and Puso Dithejane.
Due to his achievements last season, Mahlambi is listed among players desired by giants from both Soweto and Pirates. Although Galaxy is a selling club, it would be very beneficial for Mahlambi's development to remain with the team for another season. While the decision regarding his stay or sale remains his own, using the nomination and the rumors surrounding his name as fuel to reach the level of peers like Mofokeng depends solely on him.
The situation is similar for 19-year-old Cissé; however, it is reported that this player from Côte d'Ivoire has already followed Mofokeng to Belgium, joining Royal Charleroi SC.
