At the end of the season PSL Awards, Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi emerged as standout winners.
Williams clinched the Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Season awards, while Maswanganyi took home three accolades: the Players' Player of the Season, Midfielder of the Year, and Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament.
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Despite some dissenting voices regarding the awards, former Orlando Pirates winger Innocent Chikoya spoke to Soccer Laduma, endorsing the accolades received by both players based on their significant contributions to their clubs last season.
"If we talk about Ronwen (Williams) you have to look at what he has done at his club as well as the national team and you know that he deserves the two awards he won. He has done very well as a goalkeeper and there are games which Sundowns didn't lose because of him. So he deserves the awards," Chikoya told the Siya crew.
Regarding Maswanganyi, Chikoya was equally affirmative.
"As for Maswanganyi, there is no question about all the awards he has won. I think if Sipho (Chaine) didn't save penalties in the MTN8 finals Maswanganyi should have also won the MTN8 Last Man Standing Award. He has helped the team a lot in them achieving the MTN8, the Nedbank Cup as well as finishing second and qualifying for Africa. So, yes they both deserve the awards they won," Chikoya observed.
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However, Chikoya also offered a word of caution to Maswanganyi, referencing the experience of Monnapule Saleng, who faced challenges maintaining his form after a successful season.
"Maswanganyi should keep a level head and keep working hard. There will be pressure to repeat what he has done this season and he should know to handle that pressure. He should be ready for it. He should know that there will be more games to play now than it was last season because he is in the national team and also playing in the CAF Champions League. He should be ready for that pressure as well. He has to work on being better than last season and improve his game," Chikoya told Soccer Laduma.
Pirates are set to leave for Europe in the first week of July for their pre-season training and camp before returning to start the defence of their MTN8 trophy.
