Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi has weighed in on the PSL Footballer of the Season debate, saying it was always between Teboho Mokoena beat Monnapule Saleng.
The latter was one of the big winners at the PSL awards on Sunday, walking away with the MTN8 Last Man standing award and the DStv Premiership Players’ Player of the Season.
The 25-year-old has been hailed as one of the influential players in the Pirates side that managed to finish second in the league and won the MTN8 and Nedbank Cups, making 30 appearances in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and setting up nine more.
There has been debate post the award ceremony on who should have won PSL Footballer of the Season with some saying Saleng should have claimed the main accolade as well after it went to Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who also walked away with the DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season gong.
But Lekgwathi exclusively told this publication that Mokoena is a worthy winner of the category and that Saleng missing out this year could motivate him even more next season.
“I see comments now claiming that Monnapule was robbed and all that and for me even Teboho had a good season,” Lekgwathi told iDiski Times.
“You know he had a good season because the club could also trust him with the armband as well, because the boy was playing very well and he is a leader.
“For me it was always between the two but obviously the coaches voted for Teboho, so let’s congratulate him.
“This could serve as a big motivation for Saleng to work harder next season. And Saleng is a consistent player, so I’m hoping he will maintain this even next season.”
The former Bucs captain went on to praise Saleng for honouring the jersey number 14, which Lekgwathi himself and the likes of Bruce Ramokgadi, Thulani Hlatswayo and Musa Nyatama wore in the past for the Sea Robbers.
“Well deserved and I think the boy had a good season and represented that famous number very well,” he added.
“Sometimes you know some players don’t take well to being advised but I remember when we met and I told him what it means to wear jersey number 14.
“It comes with pressure because of the players, who have worn it and how they have performed before like myself and the likes of Bruce Ramokgadi, who also won the Champions League.
“I’m so proud of the boy. He represented that jersey very well, his family too and the team very well. He is a hard worker. If he continues like this he is going to go far.”
Story by Lethabo Kganyago (@KganyagoLee).
