Could we already have the answer about who the PSL’s player of the season will be?
As Bafana Bafana gets their 2027 AFCON qualification campaign underway this weekend, the league is on pause.
New coach Pitso Mosimane and the team are currently training in Johannesburg before welcoming Guinea to the Orlando Stadium on 26 September.
With the Premiership on break until mid-October, here are the players who have stood out so far.
Assessing early contenders for PSL Player of the Season
Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya – AmaZulu
The Zimbabwean striker is the league’s outright top scorer with 8 goals, according to Transfermarkt statistics.
Ngwenya has scored in every Premiership game he has played this season and has already matched the likes of Grant Young and Esau Kanyenda.
His superb contributions have helped Usuthu climb to third on the PSL table, within touching distance of Orlando Pirates.
The striker was the Premiership’s Player of the Month for August, with five goals in four matches at the time.
Interestingly, Ngwenya ranks lower among the most valuable players on Transfermarkt, emphasising that market price does not always translate to form.
Sipho Chaine – Orlando Pirates
The goalkeeper has been the anchor of the league’s best defence, having only conceded 1 time this season.
In fact, the only team to have scored against Orlando Pirates was AmaZulu, with Ngwenya netting that time as both teams settled for a draw.
Reflecting his status as #1 for his club and his country, Chaine has one of the highest market values in the PSL.
He was also named in South Africa’s 30-man squad for the AFCON qualifier games against Guinea and Eritrea, and the friendly against Egypt.
Brayan Leon – Mamelodi Sundowns
The Colombian was recognised with the Goal of the Month award for August in his first full season.
Leon has contributed a modest 3 goals, with Mamelodi Sundowns currently top of the table.
The 25-year-old’s market value speaks volumes about the talent he’s shown already this season.
However, Masandawana will expect Leon to find the back of the net more regularly going forward.
Others in the mix for the PSL Player of the Season
Oswin Appollis – Orlando Pirates
The playmaker has 2 goals and 2 assists, with the third-highest market value to boot.
Victor Letsoalo – TS Galaxy
With 4 goals, he has been a standout for a team struggling to gain a foothold this season.
Nqaba Xulu – Richards Bay FC
The centre-forward is a bizarre case, scoring 5 goals with his team sitting 14th on the table.
It’s worth noting that individual awards tend to favour players whose teams are fighting for the title.
According to this trend, Ngwenya, Chaine, Leon, and Appollis are essentially the main contenders at this stage.
However, the league is still young, and there’s plenty of soccer left before we really know the answer.
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