Terminator backs Rele Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis for PSL award

Following Pirates’ treble success this season, including the Betway Premiership title, two names are expected to dominate discussions ahead of the annual PSL Awards ceremony.  

Both Mofokeng and Appollis have been influential in the Ghost’s league triumph this season with the former registering 10 league goals and eight assists in 27 appearances, while the latter followed closely with nine goals and six assists in 30 appearances.  

Speaking to SABC Sport, Mabalane says, besides the statistics, there are other factors that will determine who eventually wins it. 

“Look, especially these days, you have to back your argument with the numbers, and if you can’t have one without the other,” said Mabalane. 

“You know, yes, you might have the other factors, but people these days want numbers, so, I’ve also looked at that with Mofokeng and Appollis and the fact that Pirates are the league winners. 

“So, we’ll always compare football at the highest level, players that are competing at the highest level, their influence, and their contribution at the highest level, and that’s the bar that we set when we analyse these players.” 

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The Bafana Bafana pair, who are expected to play a key role at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – to be broadcast LIVE on SABC Sport, are hard to separate given their technical abilities and influence, according to ‘Terminator’. 

“So Rele and Appollis, you look at how they contributed to the club. We talk about Appollis, I mean, he can be consistent and influential in the game. It’s not hidden but evident. It’s out there for everyone to see his contribution,” he added. 

“You don’t have to look for him in a game. He’s always there, he’s always making an impact whenever he plays, he contributes in Pirates winning games.  

“Then there’s Rele who does the same and he adds the numbers because he’s got the goals, you know.  So those two players, I think it’ll be very close.  

“If we include other factors because I don’t like to focus on one, you know. One point or one dimension when we assess players, I like to include everything.  

“There’s also character, there’s also confidence, there’s also the impact that he has made in the team, that’s besides the numbers. But those two, they’ll be close contenders for the Player of the Season.”