Snl24 | Maswanganyi, Rayners or Williams for big award? Top 3 coaches speak

Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates celebrates scoring during the Nedbank Cup, Quarter Final match between AmaZulu FC and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on April 13, 2024 in Durban, South Africa.

(Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro, Stellenbosch’s Steve Barker and Rulani Mokwena of Mamelodi Sundowns have each had their stance on Patrick Maswanganyi, Iqraam Rayners and Ronwen Williams’ chances of being named Player of the Season.

Bucs continued their relentless form with a 4-0 thumping of hapless Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday, with strikes from Patrick Maswanganyi, Kabelo Dlamini, Relebohile Mofokeng and Thelente Mbatha.

READ | Pirates urged keep hold of ‘big-game’ star amid exit talks

Maswanganyi was voted Man of the Match and further added credibility to his candidacy for the grand prize of being crowned the PSL Player of the Season for the 2023/24 campaign.

Speaking to the media after the match, Riveiro said, “I think people are in love with him. Who am I to say who the people should love or identify as the Player of the Season? I think South African football fans have a good taste in football, they know the football they want to see, and let’s see.

“In the end, it’s important that the team is getting good results, good performances and within that the individuals can shine, and [Maswanganyi] is a clear candidate. But let’s see.”

STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 17: Iqraam Rayners of Stellenbosch FC celebrate after scoring a goal during the DStv Premiership match between Stellenbosch FC and AmaZulu FC at Danie Craven Stadium on March 17, 2023 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Meanwhile, just a day prior to that, another candidate raised his hand for contention as Rayners struck a mind-boggling five goals to help Stellies see off Polokwane City on Saturday.

Head coach Barker believes the big centre-forward is a strong candidate for the coveted award.

“He has gone to top goal scorer in the league and, for me, he is definitely playing himself in contention to be Player of the Season. Today he showed his quality as a goal scorer,” Barker said.

ALSO READ | Rulani picks Player of the Season, weighs in on Pirates star

Downs coach Mokwena was more direct in his assessment, declaring that goalkeeper Williams has been ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest of the candidates.

“It’s an award that very seldom goes to the goalkeeper, but when I look at Rowen’s contribution this season to Sundowns, not just only as a goalkeeper but also on in-field play, in possession, in the way he tries to do things, I think he’s been head and shoulders,” the Masandawana coach said.

“And from a level of consistency, he’s been head and shoulders above the rest.

Ronwen Williams will be the laser point of focus this week in Tunis.

“But there have been some very good individual performances, periodically. Like, for example, a player like Patrick Maswanganyi deserves special mention because I’ve been watching. He’s picking up towards the end of the season and you know how the mind works, it’s picking up recently,” he pointed out.

“Then of course he deserves mention and people will speak about [him] and I agree, at the moment he is playing very, very well and he has a great contribution to that.”

Both Stellies and Pirates have five league matches each to play before the end of the season, while Sundowns have eight league games to go. These fixtures may provide some clarity on who this season’s standout player is.

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