Kekana Stirs Debate: “Footballer Of The Season Must Be A League Champion”
Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana has weighed in on the intensifying race for the PSL Footballer of the Season, insisting the award should only be reserved for a player whose team has secured the league title.
The Mofokeng Surge
The debate comes as Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng emerges as a massive fan favorite. The attacker has been in “dizzying” form during the second half of the season, most recently netting five goals in two matches—including a hat-trick in a 6-0 rout of TS Galaxy and a clinical display in Tuesday’s 5-0 demolition of Golden Arrows.
Despite Mofokeng’s individual brilliance, the Buccaneers remain second on the log. Miguel Cardoso’s Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their grip on the top spot with a victory over Durban City, moving to 56 points—two ahead of Pirates—with both sides having played 23 matches.
“I Reward Winners”
When asked by Sportswire if Mofokeng is the clear frontrunner, the former Bafana Bafana midfielder remained non-committal, leaning instead on his personal criteria for greatness.
“Footballer of the Season? It is still too early for me,” Kekana stated.
“I will speak about this only after the trophies have been lifted. I like to reward people who have won the league. I find it difficult to reward players [who haven’t won the title], like when we saw Sibusiso Vilakazi win it in 2014 without the trophy.”
Breaking the Trend
Kekana’s stance challenges a long history of individual excellence in the PSL. Several players have claimed the top individual prize without winning the league in the same year, including:
- Teko Modise (Twice with Orlando Pirates)
- Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates)
- Thulani Serero (Ajax Cape Town)
- Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows)
However, for Kekana, the most coveted individual prize must mirror the most coveted team prize. “You should win the league to win the PSL Footballer of the Season. You have to come from the club that took the title,” he concluded.
