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Cape Town - Following the conclusion of the Absa Premiership season, Sport24 picks the PSL Team of the Season.
Read: PSL announce award nominees
Thirty games have come and gone within a matter of months which saw Kaizer Chiefs reign supreme. Amakhosi claim a record-breaking number of league wins (21) as captain Tefu Mashamaite raised the much deserved silverware at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last weekend.
With all PSL proceedings done besides for the awards evening on Sunday, May 17 (starts at 20:00), which players were the standout performers throughout the season?
Sport24's PSL Team of the Season:
1. Anssi Jaakkola (Ajax Cape Town)
The Finland international was one of the reasons the Urban Warriors finished the season in fifth place - the 28-year-old played behind a young Ajax defence and managed to fairly well during his 28 league appearances. He made an average of 4.8 saves per game in all competitions for the 2014/15 season and was been awarded the PSL man of the match on two occasions.
2. Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits)
An important figure in Wits defence and has the ability to slot in at right-back if needed. The centre-back was included in Bafana Bafana's AFCON squad and was key to Gavin Hunt's team's top four finish.
3. Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs)
In my opinion 'Masha' has been the PSL's standout player. His leadership skills have come in handy quite often for Amakhosi during the course of their championship campaign. The defender's partnership with Eric Mathoho was the best in the league and their defensive record speaks for itself with only 14 goals conceded. With the PSL awards on Sunday and Mashamaite being nominated in four categories - Defender of the Season, Players' Player of the Season, Footballer of the Season as well as for MTN8 Last Man Standing - the Chiefs captain is likely to walk away with the most awards. One just wonders what Shakes Mashaba was thinking when he left him out of the Bafana Bafana squad for the AFCON tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
4. Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs)
The 25-year-old has grown into a solid centre-back and his understanding of the game has risen since playing alongside Mashamaite. Their partnership won Chiefs the PSL alongside the work rate of Willard Katsande. The defender solidified his Bafana Bafana spot after helping Mashaba's charges qualify for AFCON 2015 and has reportedly been targeted by European clubs following his successful season with both his club and country.
5. Tepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs)
One of the three veterans in Chiefs' defence (including Siboniso Gaxa) that were pivotal for their title triumph. His experience on the left flank in both defence and attack proved profitable. The defender contributed to the Glamour Boys' MTN8 triumph as well, but it is his understanding of when to attack and when to defend which has benefited the Naturena club most.
6. Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs)
Stuart Baxter's charges only conceded 14 goals in the PSL and Katsande is one of the reasons for that incredible statistic. His breaking down of opposition plays and disrupting several counter attacks is why Chiefs scored over 40 goals in the league and conceded so few. His partnership with Reneilwe Letsholonyane in midfield was highly instrumental as 'Yeye' would pick-up all the loose balls as the Zimbabwean steals them and create an immediate attack. I would not be surprised if he comes out victorious on Sunday at the PSL awards for the Midfielder of the season.
7. Cole Alexander (Polokwane City)
The former Ajax Cape Town midfielder was the surprise player of the season. His distribution and presence in Rise and Shine's midfield was important for their PSL status next season. With 2493 minutes to his name in the PSL, Alexander notched up four goals and one assist in 28 appearances. His energy in the middle of the park earned him a Bafana call-up, one which came to no surprise as City was fighting for relegation at one stage and by the end of the campaign seeking a top eight finish. For his efforts, the 25-year-old Cape Town-born star has been nominated for the Midfielder of the Season and the PSL Footballer of the Season.
8. Teko Modise (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Pitso Mosimane's side started the season so poorly but having an experience character in the mold of Modise showed how they can change things alongside other big names in their big squad. The midfielder quickly continued where he left off in the previous season as Modise along with his Sundowns teammates came from behind to snatch the League from Chiefs. Modise was again key for 'Downs midfield as his four assists and seven goals pushed the Brazilians in a demanding position to fight for league honours.
9. Thuso Phala (SuperSport United)
The pacey midfielder has been one of United's standout performers and was regularly seen pulling the strings for Gordon Igesund's side from the midfield. He completed the Premiership campaign with 11 assists and six goals. If Mandla Masango did not drop form in the second-half of the season, Phala's position in this starting XI could easily have been challenged. Khama Billiat is another player who could have been included in this team.
10. Moeketsi Sekola (Free State Stars)
Sekola ended the season top goalscorer with 14 goals and added two assists to his name as well. It may well be a difficult task for coach Kinnah Phiri to hold onto Sekola with Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns both looking to add to their striking department ahead of next season. The striker received a well-deserved Bafana Bafana call-up for his showing and is currently in Shakes Mashaba's COSAFA Cup squad.
11. Cuthbert Malajila (Mamelodi Sundowns)
For a striker it is amazing that Malajila is the PSL's second best goal provider of the 2014/15 season. Malajila assisted 10 goals and in the process netted 10 of his own. The lanky forward has the strength and ability to hold the ball-up well in front during offensive play and the likes of Billiat, Modise or any on coming teammates could easily play off the striker.
