Johannesburg – After the Premier Soccer League awards disappointments, Siyabonga Sangweni earned two accolades at the Orlando Pirates function at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.
The Bafana Bafana defender picked up the club's Player of the Season and the Online Player of the Season awards at a glitzy event staged at the legendary venue.
In the process, Sangweni bagged R140,000 in total from the two gongs in the evening.
“I can't say much about the PSL awards, I really don't want to talk about them,” he said.
“But it was the Pirates fans that voted on this one, and I'm glad to have won tonight (Saturday), it's an honour.”
In his first season with the Buccaneers from Golden Arrows, Sangweni was integral to the second successive treble winning squad.
Apart from being a constant presence in the team's line up, the player notched up seven important goals that aided Pirates in their successful league defence.
“People, maybe, didn't take notice when I was at Arrows because they are a smaller club,” said Sangweni.
“But I've continued from where I left off.
“I'll continue working hard to ensure that I have continuity.”
Midfielder Oupa Manyisa earned the Player's Player of the Season and the Best Goal award, while captain Lucky Lekgwathi won the Chairman's award.
Senzo Meyiwa picked up the Save of the Season, with Benni McCarthy claiming the Top Scorer accolade.
Promising fullback, Thabo Matlaba earned the side's Newcomer of the Season award after an impressive start to his Pirates career.
Matlaba signed in January from Free State Stars, where he has credited coach Steve Komphela for his easy transition since he has joined the Soweto giants.
“Steve helped me a lot because he said, if I can play well in my first game then anything after would fall in place,” Matlaba said. – Sapa