The DStv Premiership has reached its final quarter and some teams have exactly 10 games left. Just like any other campaign, there are stars who have outperformed the rest, however, there can only be one Player of the Season. The biggest question asked at this time of the campaign is… who deserves to be named the Player of the Season?
In the last two seasons, the award went to Mamelodi Sundowns stars Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile. I can say the Shalulile one was straightforward, as he simply had no equal in the previous season.
The Namibian scored 15 league goals and registered six assists to help the Brazilians win their fourth consecutive title in his debut season for Kabo Yellow. However, when Mshishi won, Samir Nurkovic was the dark horse and many still believed the Serbian had a better season than Zwane.
That’s the beauty of this award, there’s always more than one deserving player. It’s a headache for the selectors to pick one person in a league that has so much talent.
Player of the season number 1 nominee :Keagan Dolly
— Keagan Dolly 10 For Player of the season (@ThabisoMishack) January 18, 2022
6 goals 4 assist
Goal of the month as voted for by fans who know football 🤭🤭
Player of the month as cited for by journos
Man of the match award
More coming from Dolly this season
🏟️🐐 pic.twitter.com/BgrkVLuAki
Debates have already started on social media after the question was posed: who is currently the best player in the PSL? The common denominator was Kaizer Chiefs star, Keagan Dolly.
Dolly joined AmaKhosi at the beginning of the season from French Ligue 1 outfit Montpellier. He returned to Chiefs and underwent a stringent fitness regime that has paid dividends.
In 16 appearances donning the gold and black, the former Ajax Cape Town star has netted six times and registered four assists. One can argue and say if he had a lethal striker alongside him, he would’ve had more assists.
Dolly’s top performances earned him a Bafana Bafana call up where he played the last two World Cup qualifiers and came back with an assist. If his form continues, he will prove to be a vital cog in the Hugo Broos’ ever-improving Bafana machine.
Dolly scoring goals and too many assist so at the moment he is the player of the season. pic.twitter.com/dTCyz7edWP
— Lavas (@Luvuyo72591244) January 18, 2022
December’s Player of the Month, Andile Jali, was also one of the popular names mentioned as one of the deserving players. The Matatiele-born midfielder is enjoying his football once again under the guidance of the three coaches.
Jali has played 16 league matches and has been key to Sundowns’ impressive run so far. The 31-year-old won the December DStv Premiership Player of the Month award ahead of Shalulile, Kwame Peprah, Bienvenu Eva Nga and Victor Letsoalo.
Last season’s Footballer of the Year, Peter Shalulile, is also one of the players tipped for the award. The Namibian is currently the league’s leading scorer with 13 goals and will be looking to join the likes of Itumeleng Khune and Siyabonga Nomvethe who’ve won the crown twice.
Though I firmly believe that will be the final three, anything can happen. Other dark horses that have been outstanding this season would be Njabulo Blom, Victor Letsoalo and Themba Zwane.
The contender for the midfielder and footballer of the season pic.twitter.com/7VMNaWMcLa
— Pat (@PatBafo) January 18, 2022
