By: Lucky Khanyile

Bidvest Wits maestro Sibusiso Vilakazi scooped three of the important Premier Soccer League awards on Sunday evening.

After a lot of anticipation, “Vila” stole the show at the Sandton Convention Centre where the PSL Awards were held. He took home three awards: the Nedbank Cup player of the tournament, Players’ Player of the Season and the Footballer of the Season.

The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, handed out the Footballer of the Season award, and apologised to the players who he called “bunch of losers” – particularly Vilakazi’s teammate Moeneeb Josephs.  The event was attended by Nigerian legend Nwankwo Kanu, who handed out the Players’ Player of the Season Award to the Wits skipper.

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza awarded Golden Arrows president Mato Madlala the PSL Chairman’s award.  PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns’ Pitso Mosimane was named Coach of the Season, while Ajax Cape Town’s starlet Keagan Dolly was named PSL Young Player of the Season.

Other winners on the night were Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune who won the Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season.  His teammate Bernard Parker won the Top Goal scorer award with ten goals.  Hlompho Kekana of Sundowns took the Absa Premiership Absa-lutely Awesome Goal of the Season.

The Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament award went to Wits’ Kwanda Mngonyama.  Platinum Stars’ Mogakolodi Ngele won the Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament. National First Division Top Goal Scorer of the Season was David Zulu of Black Leopards.

Referee of the Season was Zolile Mthetho while Edward Madidilane won the Assistant Referee of the Season award.