‘We All Know Where It’s Going’: Modise On PSL Footballer Of The Season Winner
South African football legend Teko Modise believes fans and pundits should not waste their time debating the upcoming PSL Footballer of the Season award, confidently asserting that the winner is already a certainty.
The final three-man shortlist features Orlando Pirates’ teenage sensation Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, and Mamelodi Sundowns midfield anchor Teboho Mokoena.
Modise, who won the prestigious accolade back-to-back during his spectacular stint with Pirates, hinted that Mokoena faces an impossible task to claim the award for the second time in his career.
Why did Teko Modise say the PSL Footballer of the Season race is already decided?
Modise indicated that the domestic treble and international exploits have made the destination of the trophy obvious, pointing heavily toward the influence of Bafana Bafana’s recent global showcase.
“[The award] is a conversation that, in the last two months, has always been about Bafana Bafana going to the World Cup,” Modise explained.
“It was those two [Mofokeng and Appollis] and Tebza. It’s not a surprise; they have done well. Pirates won the treble; those two played in the World Cup, and so did Tebza, who won the CAF Champions League. Whoever wins deserves it. But we know who is going to win. We all know where it is going.”
How did Orlando Pirates’ historic treble campaign unfold?
The debate arrives on the heels of a historic domestic campaign where Pirates captured the Betway Premiership title for the first time in 14 years, completing a clean sweep that included the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup.
The Buccaneers’ relentless march to the title was not without friction. Throughout the season, rivals frequently suggested that scheduling and venue selections favored the Soweto giants. The perceived imbalances heavily infuriated Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso, who repeatedly slammed the PSL hierarchy.
Ultimately, Cardoso’s public protests proved futile. Pirates mathematically sealed the championship in dramatic fashion at Mbombela Stadium, capitalising on two crucial own goals against Orbit College to officially dethrone the Brazilians.
How do the nominees compare statistically?
The winner of the award will be decided through a strict democratic process where Betway Premiership head coaches vote exclusively, with regulations strictly preventing tacticians from nominating members of their own squads.
Statistically, the attacking outputs of Mofokeng and Appollis give them a clear edge over Mokoena’s deeper midfield metrics.
* Note: Mofokeng has since concluded a high-profile European transfer to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise following his stellar domestic campaign.
Mofokeng acted as the primary talisman for the Buccaneers, scoring the decisive late winner against Marumo Gallants to secure the Carling Knockout Cup.
Meanwhile, Appollis proved to be an indispensable creative engine for Pirates as well, starting every single league match of the campaign.
In contrast, Mokoena’s campaign saw fewer attacking returns as Sundowns ultimately relinquished their domestic crown, though he balanced this by guiding his team to CAF Champions League glory.
The PSL will crown the winner on 27 July during a virtual broadcast, marking the sixth consecutive season the league has opted for a digital format.
The PSL last hosted an in-person, black-tie awards gala during the 2018/19 campaign at the Durban ICC, an evening where Thembinkosi Lorch took home the top prize—the last time a Pirates player claimed the honor prior to this historic 2025/26 season.
