Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng has received backing from a Kaizer Chiefs legend for the coveted PSL Footballer of the Season award.
With the season drawing to a close, the debate around the PSL award has reached a fever pitch. On paper, Mamelodi Sundowns' Lucas Ribeiro appears the outright favourite, with 16 goals and nine assists from 26 league appearances.
READ | '...Let him go' - PLK City brace for Appollis exit?
His most feared competition comes in the form of Pirates' Mofokeng, who has five goals and seven assists in 24 appearances. Sekhukhune United's Keletso Magkalwa is also in the conversation, having contributed four goals and 11 assists from 25 appearances.
For Zwane, who was Kaizer Chiefs' 2001-2002 Player of the Season, the award deserves to go to Pirates' budding star.
"I don’t want to sound controversial, but I think you look at Rele – I think he carried Orlando Pirates," the AmaZulu head coach said after his side played to a 1-1 draw against Pirates on Saturday.
"You look at Ribeiro. Obviously, Sundowns win the league, so to be quite honest, it’s the Ribeiro we know.
"But Rele as a youngster doing what he’s done this past season, carrying a giant on his shoulder, I think it was something else, it was amazing.
"We need players like him, so others see him performing at this level. And now he’s definitely going to go to the World Cup – I don’t want people to say I’m picking him; I’m not the national coach. But looking at how coach Broos does, and how he integrated into the senior national team.
"For him, it was a big jump because he never played for the U20, maybe the previous players, but because he’s an exceptional talent. There is no doubt that he’s gonna make AFCON and the World Cup.
ALSO READ | Nabi reveals' Chiefs transfer plans
"Also, credit must be given to their coaches – all those coaches from School of Excellence, Pirates, Jose [Riveiro], Duku Duku Makhanya, who spotted the talent and made life easy for the first team as well to get players promoted.
"Coach Jose, for giving all those players an opportunity. Today, the player who scored the equaliser is also from the development, it tells you that South African football is going far…"
Meanwhile, the PSL awards ceremony has been postponed due to Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club's participation in both the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2024/25 CAF Champions League Final.
