PSL Announces Full List of 2026 Awards Nominees Ahead of 27 July Ceremony
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has officially revealed the nominees for the 2026 PSL Awards, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated nights in South African football. The awards ceremony will take place on Monday, 27 July 2026, with winners set to be honoured for their performances across the 2025/26 season. Fans will be able to follow the event live on the SuperSport PSL Channel as well as SABC Sport, ensuring wide national coverage of the ceremony. The announcement has already sparked debate among supporters and analysts as standout players and coaches compete across multiple categories. With strong representation from Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and other top-flight clubs, the race for honours is expected to be highly competitive.
One of the most closely watched categories is the PSL Footballer of the Season award, which features three elite nominees. Orlando Pirates duo Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng have both been shortlisted alongside Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena. The nominees were selected by the head coaches of all 16 Premier Division clubs, highlighting their influence and consistency throughout the season. Appollis and Mofokeng have enjoyed standout campaigns for Pirates, playing key roles in the club’s attacking structure and success. Mokoena, meanwhile, has continued to be a driving force in Sundowns’ midfield, delivering high-level performances in both domestic and continental competitions.
Appollis and Mofokeng have also secured nominations in the Betway Premiership Players’ Player of the Season category, where they are joined by their Pirates teammate Kamogelo Sebelebele. This award is particularly significant because it is voted for exclusively by players across the league, making it a true reflection of peer recognition. Each club is allowed a maximum of 30 votes, with strict rules preventing players from voting for their own teammates. The inclusion of three Orlando Pirates players in this category highlights the strong season the club has enjoyed. It also reflects the growing influence of their young and dynamic squad within South African football.
The race for Betway Premiership Coach of the Season is equally competitive, featuring four respected tacticians. Mamelodi Sundowns’ Miguel Cardoso is nominated alongside Kaizer Chiefs’ coaching duo Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, as well as Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Each nominee has guided their team through demanding fixtures while maintaining high performance levels across multiple competitions. Cardoso’s nomination reflects Sundowns’ continued dominance, while Ouaddou’s inclusion highlights Pirates’ consistency throughout the campaign. Chiefs’ technical team earns recognition for stabilising and rebuilding the squad during a transitional period.
Young talent is also well represented in the Betway Premiership Young Player of the Season category. The shortlist includes Isaac Cisse of Lamontville Golden Arrows, Seluleko Mahlambi of TS Galaxy and Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng. Mofokeng’s nomination in multiple categories underlines his rapid rise and importance to his team at a young age. Mahlambi and Cisse have also impressed with consistent performances that highlight their potential for long-term success. This category continues to showcase the next generation of South African football talent making their mark at senior level.
In the Motsepe Foundation Championship Players’ Player of the Season category, three standout performers have been recognised for their contributions. Khethukuthula Ndlovu of Kruger United, Ronaldo van Neel of Hungry Lions and Emile Witbooi of Cape Town City have all earned nominations after impressive campaigns. Each player played a significant role in their team’s performances throughout the season, demonstrating consistency and technical quality. Their inclusion highlights the depth of talent within South Africa’s second tier and the importance of the Championship in developing future stars. The voting process for this category is also conducted exclusively by players within the league.
The MTN8 competition has its own dedicated category, the Last Man Standing award, which is fully dominated by Orlando Pirates nominees. Oswin Appollis, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Tshepang Moremi all feature on the shortlist after their contributions to Pirates’ successful MTN8 campaign. Their performances played a key role in the club’s triumph in the competition, further strengthening Pirates’ presence across multiple award categories. This dominance reflects the team’s depth and ability to perform in high-pressure knockout fixtures. It also highlights the strength of their attacking options throughout the season.
The Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament category includes three standout performers from different clubs. Marumo Gallants duo Washington Arubi and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo are nominated alongside Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Mbokazi’s inclusion reflects his growing reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in the league. His performances throughout the tournament demonstrated maturity, composure and defensive strength beyond his years. Arubi and Ndlondlo also impressed with key contributions that helped Gallants remain competitive in the competition.
The Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament category features three nominees from Durban City’s memorable campaign. Darren Keet, Siphamandla Ncanana and Brooklyn Poggenpoel have all been recognised for their roles in the club’s strong cup run. Durban City’s success story continues in the Most Promising Player of the Tournament category, where Kyle Jurgens and Luphumlo Sifumba are joined by TS Galaxy’s Seluleko Mahlambi. These nominations highlight the club’s strong development structure and ability to nurture young talent while competing at a high level. The recognition also underscores the importance of cup competitions in showcasing emerging players.
At youth level, the DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season shortlist includes Bennet Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns alongside Orlando Pirates duo Lebo Mohlala and Mpho Padime. These nominations highlight the continued strength of youth development systems at South Africa’s biggest clubs. The Diski Challenge remains a crucial platform for identifying future stars who can progress into senior football. Each nominee has shown consistency and technical ability throughout the season, making the category highly competitive. Their performances reflect the growing quality of academy football in the country.
The PSL has confirmed that all voting and nomination processes follow strict guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency. Footballer of the Season nominees are selected by Premier Division head coaches, with no coach allowed to vote for their own players. The Players’ Player categories are determined exclusively by registered league players, with similar restrictions in place to prevent bias. Coaching awards and youth categories are also judged through structured voting systems involving coaches, journalists and analysts. Match officials are nominated and voted for by the SAFA National Referees Committee Panel, ensuring representation from across the football ecosystem.
With anticipation building ahead of the 27 July ceremony, the 2026 PSL Awards promise to celebrate another exciting season of South African football. The strong spread of nominees across clubs such as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs highlights the competitive balance within the league. Emerging young talents also feature prominently, signalling a bright future for the domestic game. As players, coaches and supporters await the final results, the awards night is set to provide a fitting conclusion to a season filled with standout performances, dramatic moments and rising stars across all levels of competition.
