Gaston Sirino, Hlompho Kekana, Thembinkhosi Lorch and Mwape Musonda are just some of the stars who have made SoccerClub’s PSL Team of the Season, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)
The 27-year-old keeper has really stepped up for Kaitano Tembo this season and played an integral part in the side’s run to the MTN 8 final and their sixth-place finish.
Williams was a constant in the posts for SuperSport, as he played all 30 matches of the campaign, keeping 12 clean sheets which were enough to see him win the Golden Glove award and earn his place into this Team of the Season.
RB: Thami Mkhize (Cape Town City)
The Cape Town City captain was one of Benni McCarthy’s standout players this season. Mkhize led his team by example as he put in constantly good performances throughout the campaign.
His fine form this season has seen Mkhize force his way into the Bafana Bafana setup and this selection in the Team of the Season.
CB: Happy Jele (Orlando Pirates)
So close, yet so far for Orlando Pirates stalwart and Captain Jele this season. The Buccaneers skipper could only guide his side to a second-place finish, but undoubtedly would have been proud of his season on a personal level.
While his defensive partners changed almost on a weekly basis, Jele was the one constant at the heart of the Pirates defence as he played in all but one game in the Absa Premiership.
While there were no celebrations for Jele this season his performances have sealed him a spot in the Team of the Season.
CB: Ricardo Nascimento (Mamelodi Sundowns)
The composed Brazilian has been one of the key members of the Mamelodi Sundowns side in recent seasons and the 2018-19 PSL campaign was no different.
Nascimento played 25 times in the league and was a rock at the back for Pitso Mosimane, not to mention his ability to be clinical from the penalty spot, which saw him bag four vital goals.
LB: Sfiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits)
Bidvest Wits may have stumbled towards the end of the season, missing out on a top-two finish, but their fantastic start to the campaign, which saw them top the league for many months, cannot be ignored.
That fine run of form was largely down to their rock-solid defence of Bafana Bafana stars. One of those players was none other than Hlanti, who in addition to his defensive strength also proved to be a threat going forward.
CM: Jabulani Maluleke (Polokwane City)
The 37-year-old Polokwane City captain proved that age is just a number in this campaign as he played an integral role in his side’s 5th place finish.
The veteran midfielder attracted praise from his fellow professionals, both in his side and from the opposition throughout the campaign as he showed a level of consistency not many would have expected from a player his age, and is thus a deserved member of this Team of the Season.
CM: Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
The importance of Kekana to the title-winning Downs side cannot be understated. The combative midfielder played all but one of Downs’ league games this season, scoring four goals and grabbing the one assist.
While these are by no means huge numbers, it is Kekana’s defensive role which has become so important. The 33-year-old is the man tasked with breaking up the play, and starting off his side’s attacks from his deeper role, while he has also shown to have an incredible engine to play 45 games across all competitions in what has been a congested schedule for Downs this season.
Kekana lifted his sixth Absa Premiership title on Saturday to become the player with the joint-most league titles, and is a certain pick for this Team of the Season.
RW: Lebohang Maboe (Mamelodi Sundowns)
After switching Martizburg for Chloorkop, many questioned if Maboe would be able to make the adjustment soon enough to help fill the void left by the departures of Khama Billiat and Percy Tau.
However, the 24-year-old hit the ground running at Downs and has been a constant on Mosimane’s team sheet throughout the season, although he has played a number of different roles.
Maboe has not been deterred by his versatile role and has gone on to score eight goals and provide six assists in the league, which ultimately played a decisive role in Downs retaining their PSL crown.
CAM: Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns)
The Uruguayan has been a revelation for Sundowns this season and has undoubtedly been one of the stars of their title-winning campaign.
Sirino has been instrumental in Mosimane’s attacking force, as he has scored five goals while also setting up seven goals in the league campaign.
The mercurial forward causes defences constant problems with his speed and skill and deservedly has a place in this Team of the Season.
LW: Thembinkhosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates)
The Orlando Pirates flyer had arguably his best season to date in the 2018-19 PSL campaign.
Lorch scored five goals and grabbed seven assists in the Absa Premiership while playing in a number of different roles across the Pirates attack.
No matter where he was played though, Lorch was a constant threat and source of danger for the Soweto giants, and is a no-brainer when choosing this Team of the Season.
ST: Mwape Musonda (Black Leopards)
The leagues’ top scorer, Musonda, had an unbelievable campaign, where his goals helped keep Leopards in the PSL.
The Zambian netted 16 goals in the league as his side finished just two points off the drop zones at the bottom of the table.
Musonda showed that he has an eye for goal and could have earned himself another big move with his outstanding performances, just as he has earned himself a place in this Team of the Season.
All stats based on figures from Transfermarkt.
