Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi has entered the Player of the Season conversation, naming his best three players at this point of the campaign.
Vilakazi has gone with the Sundowns duo of Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena as well as Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi, while also noting Tshegofatso Mabasa but said the striker’s challenge is that he peaked late.
Mokoena who won the award last season has impressed Vilakazi in his 16 league matches where he has three goals, while Williams had received the backing of his coach Rulani Mokwena for the accolade.
The goalkeeper has played 18 league matches and has 13 clean sheets so far. The one player who Vilakazi says he’d have no qualms, if he got the gong is Pirates new signing Maswanganyi, who has scored five goals and made five assists in his 23 league games.
“For me Williams, Maswanganyi and Mokoena,” said Tso on iDiski TV.
“These are the three players that I will say did well for me. The other players peaked at the wrong [time] because I was also going to go with [Tshegofatso] Mabasa as one of my players. For me he peaked late and I believe that he makes the team tick.
“Maswanganyi and Williams will take it to the last game for me. Mokoena, yes but I still say Williams and Maswanganyi and Maswanganyi maybe needs two more goals and maybe three assists or four, that’ll be it for me.
“You also look at his influence in the team, his decision-making, how he makes things happen. He supports his players, he’s always there putting his hand up in every action in terms goals and assists at Pirates.
He’s always involved, so yes I’d be satisfied if it went to him.”
You can listen to Vilakazi’s full comments on IDiski TV official YouTube channel.
