It’s only right that Mamelodi Sundowns superstar Themba Zwane cleans up at this year’s PSL awards.
Yes, I’ve got him down as a favourite for all the main awards: PSL Footballer of the Year, Premiership Player of the Year and Premiership Players’ Player of the Year.
I also believe “Mshishi” could be in with a big shout for some of the Telkom Knockout and Nedbank Cup individual awards too.
For me, he is one of the truest South African football prototype players.
There’ll always be special players, who do special things. But Zwane is not that type of player.
He’s the type that gives 7/10, even on a bad day.
He has the SA diski natural flair, he is coachable and lives the life of a professional athlete.
The only other player who is at his level of performance that I can think of as an example to follow is Wits and Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Okes don’t realise Zwane probably got the most assists from within the penalty area.
Many other players would shoot hastily trying to score, or at least hit the target.
Not the Downs ace, he has the ability and composure to take an extra touch and still pass the ball square for an easy tap in for a teammate.
He does all the right things and only the things he can do.
You won’t see him attempt too many cross-field long balls, he sticks to what he’s good at.
He’s a weapon down the line or cutting in to shoot or to pass.
He’s really the mold for the classic South African right midfielder.
He’s not just a winger.
He’s part of the midfield, either as a central or secondary creative figure.
Either way, he’s dangerous.
The stats guys can do all their numbers on Mshishi to back me up, but I will not accept arguments against him.
Other star performers who could win awards this season are Thamsanqa Gabuza or Bradley Grobler, or one of the other SuperSport United players, thanks to them claiming the only trophy Downs didn’t snatch – the MTN8.
I see the Kaizer Chiefs fans will want to force abo-Samir Nurkovic in there.
Maybe for the Chiefs annual awards bafethu, hay’khona.
If there was an award for a fan favourite, then I reckon Nurkovic would be a strong candidate.
My heart breaks for Sundowns fullback Thapelo Morena, because he was blazing quite the trail down the flanks this season and was in European conversations.
The timing of his injuries have been unfortunate, but he makes up for it all with some special performances.
He too is a player who, like Zwane, is not just easy to develop technically, but physically as well.
Goalkeeper of the Season?
Honestly, I’m not even sure, but I’m guessing SuperSport and Bafana Bafana’s current number one Ronwen Williams’ name will be there on reputation and leadership.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Nigerian shotstopper Daniel Akpeyi has surpassed many expectations and convinced former Chiefs boss Ernst Middendorp to make him the team’s first choice ahead of fan-favourite Itumeleng Khune.
Then there’s Sundowns and Uganda’s Denis Onyango, whose reputation should also give him a shout.
But that’s just me. I don’t know how the judge’s panel will decide.