Malawian iconic soccer export Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango has proved that he did not go to South Africa as a tourist but to leave a mark in football.
Mhango is the first Malawian to claim the golden boot in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, a record that has earned him a place in that competition’s team of the season. He scored 16 goals just like Namibia’s Peter Shalulile.
Here is PSL team of the season as reported by goal.com
GOALKEEPER – Daniel Akpeyi. The Nigeria international established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the league and he was also a key player for Chiefs as they pushed for the PSL title. Akpeyi kept nine clean sheets in 25 matches and he was named the PSL Player of the Month for October 2019 and he is expected to be nominated for the goalkeeper of the season award.
RIGHT-BACK – Reeve Frosler. The South Africa under-23 international caught the eye with his ability to excel as a right-back and left-back for Kaizer Chiefs.
Frosler produced good defensive performances and he made marauding runs forward which saw him register three assists from 23 league matches.
LEFT-BACK – Sifiso Hlanti.The Bafana Bafana international was a consistent performer for Bidvest Wits and he remains one of the top left-backs in the country.
Good at tackles and neat on the ball, Hlanti was a key member of the Clever Boys defence which conceded 22 goals from 30 matches making it the league’s joint-best defensive record.
CENTRAL DEFENDER – Motjeka Madisha. The former South Africa under-20 captain had to step up when Mamelodi Sundowns started the season without their key central defender Ricardo Nascimento.
Madisha did not disappoint as he produced solid performances at the heart of the Masandawana’s defence and he won several man of the match awards in the league games.
CENTRAL DEFENDER – Erick Mathoho. The towering defender re-established himself as one of the best centre backs in the country with his impressive displays for Kaizer Chiefs.
Mathotho proved to be a goalscoring defender having netted five goals in the league and he was an integral member of the league’s third-joint best defence (27 goals conceded).
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER – Hlompho Kekana. The Mamelodi Sundowns captain had another good season with the Tshwane giants and he remains an influential player in the team.
Kekana, who netted three goals and registered two assists in 27 league matches, started all of Masandawana’s matches in the bio-bubble as they applied the final push for the PSL title.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER – Lebogang Manyama. The Bafana Bafana international was deployed in central midfield and he excelled as the driving force behind Kaizer Chiefs’ PSL title bid.
Manyama was Amakhosi’s orchestrator-in-chief as he ended the league season with the most assists (nine) and he impressively hit the back of the net six times from midfield.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER – Themba Zwane. The versatile attacker was arguably the best player in the league during the 2019/20 season as he inspired Mamelodi Sundowns to the PSL title.
Zwane finished the league campaign as Masandawana’s top scorer with 11 goals and he was also creative having registered seven assists.
FORWARD – Frank Mhango. The Malawian forward has his best season since he arrived in the country in 2013 having hit the ground running in his debut season at Orlando Pirates.
Mhango caused havoc for the PSL defences with his blistering pace and tricky feet and he netted 16 goals which earned him the PSL Golden Boot award.
FORWARD – Peter Shalulile. The speedy forward was almost unstoppable as he hit the back of the net with ease for Highlands Park proving to be one of the best strikers in the league.
Shalulile, who possesses great power and accuracy, netted 16 goals which saw him scoop the PSL Golden Boot award and he will share the accolade with Frank Mhango.
CENTRE FORWARD – Samir Nurkovic. The Serbian centre forward took to the PSL like a duck to the water as he quickly became a reliable goalscorer for Kaizer Chiefs after joining the club last July.
Blessed with great finishing and aerial threat, Nurkovic scored 13 goals and recorded six assists which helped Amakhosi maintain their PSL title charge until the last day of the season.