The curtain may have fallen on the 2024/25 Betway Premiership, but the spotlight is far from fading. With the season officially wrapped up, the Premier Soccer League has unveiled its list of nominees for the 2025 Betway Premiership Awards — and it’s a who’s who of South African football’s finest.

From Mamelodi Sundowns’ relentless title charge, to Orlando Pirates’ youth-powered resurgence, and Kaizer Chiefs’ surprising collapse, the season delivered drama, brilliance, and plenty to talk about. Now, the league gets ready to honour those who stood out above the rest.

Season Recap: Sundowns Cruise, Pirates Impress, Chiefs Collapse

Mamelodi Sundowns continued their dominance in South African football, lifting a record-extending eighth consecutive Premiership title. Under new coach Miguel Cardoso, the Brazilians were consistent, clinical, and nearly untouchable, finishing with the best attack and the tightest defence in the league.

Orlando Pirates finished a strong second, with Jose Riveiro’s side growing in confidence and quality. The emergence of 19-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng was one of the stories of the season, as the young winger lit up stadiums with his creativity and maturity beyond his years.

Kaizer Chiefs, however, endured another frustrating campaign — one that saw them miss out on the Top 8 and left fans asking tough questions. Even flashes of brilliance from players like Pule Mmodi and Gaston Sirino couldn’t lift Amakhosi out of mid-table.

The Awards

The marquee categories at this year’s Betway Premiership Awards are headlined by the battle between Lucas Ribeiro Costa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), and Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United), who are nominated for both Footballer of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season.

Costa topped the scoring charts with 16 goals and added 9 assists, playing a massive role in Sundowns’ title win. Mofokeng, just 19, was Pirates’ most electric player, and Makgalwa quietly became one of the league’s top creators with 11 assists.

Full List of 2025 PSL Awards Nominees

Betway Premiership Footballer of the Season

Lucas Ribeiro Costa (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United)

Betway Premiership Players’ Player of the Season

Lucas Ribeiro Costa (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United)

Betway Premiership Coach of the Season

Steve Barker (Stellenbosch FC)

Miguel Cardoso (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Jose Riveiro (Orlando Pirates)

Betway Premiership Young Player of the Season

Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

Mohau Nkota (Orlando Pirates)

Betway Premiership Midfielder of the Season

Marcello Allende (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Makhehlene Makhaula (Orlando Pirates)

Betway Premiership Defender of the Season

Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch FC)

Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)

Betway Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season

Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC)

Betway Premiership Goal of the Season

Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC vs Cape Town City)

Lucas Ribeiro Costa (Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates)

Glody Lilepo (Kaizer Chiefs vs Marumo Gallants)

Cup and Development Categories

Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament

Inacio Miguel (Kaizer Chiefs)

Pule Mmodi (Kaizer Chiefs)

Gaston Sirino (Kaizer Chiefs)

Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament

Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates)

Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

Mohau Nkota (Orlando Pirates)

Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament

Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC)

Edmore Chirambadare (Magesi FC)

Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns)

MTN8 Last Man Standing

Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC)

Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates)

Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

Motsepe Foundation Championship Awards

Players’ Player of the Season

Banele Hlophe (JDR Stars)

Joslin Kamatuka (Durban City)

Muzomuhle Khanyi (Hungry Lions)

Goalkeeper of the Season

Emile Lako (Casric Stars)

Sekhoane Moerane (Orbit College)

Dumisani Msibi (Durban City)

Young Player of the Season

Luke Baartman (Cape Town Spurs)

Teboho Lekhatla (Casric Stars)

Siphamandla Mhlongo (Milford FC)

DStv Diski Challenge and Match Officials

DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season

Gomolemo Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi (Kaizer Chiefs)

Tylon Smith (Stellenbosch FC)

Referee of the Season

Luxolo Badi

Masixole Bambiso

Olani Kwinda

Assistant Referee of the Season

Kgara Mokoena

Romario Phiri

Khamusi Razwimisani

What’s Next? While the official ceremony date is still to be confirmed — due to Sundowns’ busy continental and international schedule — the awards are expected to be handed out before the end of July.

Until then, the debate continues: Will youth be rewarded over experience? Will Sundowns sweep the honours again? Or will Pirates’ young guns steal the show?

One thing is clear: the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season delivered, and the awards will be the perfect closing chapter to a memorable campaign.