The PSL season is well underway, with no shortage of action: there have been 51 League goals, 20 MTN8 goals, and eight in the CAF Champions League by Orlando Pirates.
Zola Doda looks at the best players so far.
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1. Daine Klate (Orlando Pirates)
The Orlando Pirates winger is by far the most consistent player so far.
In three Champions League matches, one against Al Ahly and two against Zamalek, he proved his worth and influence in the team, creating goals as well putting his name on the scoresheet.
His combination with new signing Lennox Bacela as well as Sifiso Myeni has been giving opposition defenders headaches. In the MTN8 against Kaizer Chiefs, he curled a well-taken free-kick into back into the net, proving that his qualities do not end in passing, crossing and finishing.
If he continues with his form, the 28-year-old will certainly be one of the serious contenders for Footballer of the Season.
2. Dove Wome (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Forget Knowledge Musona – Wome is proving to be the best buy of the season.
Playing alongside Teko Modise and Hlompho Kekana, the former Free State Stars midfielder has brought stability and sanity to the Brazilians’ midfield. Gone are the days of passing the ball around without any purpose; Wome reads the game well and has the rare ability to initiate attacks at the perfect time.
His link with defence and attack has been vital in Sundowns season so far.
3. Lennox Bacela (Orlando Pirates)
With only six goals last season in 35 matches for Bloemfontein Celtic last season, many fans raised their eyebrows when Orlando Pirates unveiled the 30-year-old Lennox Bacela. How could this man solve the Buccaneers’ goalscoring problems?
But barely a month into the new season the man nicknamed ‘Brace-cela’ has critics eating their words, with five goals so far.
Bacela’s combination with Klate and Myeni, strength to hold the ball and ability to bring other players into the game have been a great benefit. Whether playing with a second striker or alone, Bacela is making difference.
4. Lerato Chabangu (Moroka Swallows)
Chabangu’s opening goal of the season against University of Pretoria might have been sheer luck but there is no doubt that he started this season with a bang.
In the following League match against Kaizer Chiefs he was a thorn in the Kaizer Chiefs defence and scored his second goal.
It hard to imagine that three seasons ago no team wanted to sign Chabangu. The 28-year-old is hot property again.
5. Papy Faty (Bidvest Wits)
Faty’s performance last season was clearly a taste of things to come.
The Burundian international has raised the bar with his performances so far this season. His first victims were Bloemfontein Celtic in the quarter-finals of the MTN8, where he combined well with Sibusiso Vilakazi and Getaneh Kebede before crowing his performance with a goal.
With he has played so far, it looks like Gavin Hunt will be having sleepless nights when offers start pouring in for the 22-year-old.
6. Bennett Chenene (SuperSport United)
Chenene is one of the most underrated players in the PSL.
After leaving Orlando Pirates his career looked to be heading on a downward spiral. But 13 goals for Moroka Swallows last season convinced Matsatsantsa to snatch him up, and the skilful player has not disappointed so far.
SuperSport have a 100 percent record in the League, and Chenene has chipped in two goals.
7. Siphelele Mthembu (Platinum Stars)
‘Shaka Zulu’ has always been known for his likeness to Henry Cele – and the tug-of-war his transfer created between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
This season, however, he is becoming known for his prowess on the field of play.
Four goals so far this season were enough for Gordon Igesund to reward the striker with a call-up to the national team.
8. Joel Mogorosi (Bloemfontein Celtic)
Last season Mogorosi’s scintillating performance helped Bloemfontein Celtic win the Telkom Knockout, and while Siwelele have started this season blowing hot and cold, the Botswana international has picked up from he where left off.
Two goals against Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City kicked off Mogorosi’s season in style, and the 27-year-old is one of the players Celtic will have problems holding on to when the big guns come for his signature.
9. Mabhuti Khenyeza (Mpumalanga Black Aces)
Whoever said strikers must be judged on the number of goals they score was not talking about Mabhuti Khenyeza.
The 31-year-old shrugged off the negativity around his year-long ban and his commitment to the team is second to none.
He has yet to score a goal this season but his contribution to the team has earned Aces three points – and is one of the reasons he has yet to be substituted this season.
10. Lindokuhle Mbatha (Platinum Stars)
When Thuso Phala signed a pre-contract with SuperSport United, questions were asked about who would take the leading role in Dikwena. Step up Lindokuhle Mbatha.
The 28-year-old winger was a key player at Mpumalanga Black Aces during the 2008/09 season, and now on his third season with Dikwena he is ready to take the lead role in the team. He played the game of his life in the MTN8 quarter-final against Free State Stars and was one of the best performers in their recent League match against Polokwane City.