Orlando Pirates were crowned the Nedbank Cup champions after defeating Sekhukhune United 2-1 in the final on Saturday night at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium courtesy of goals by Tapelo Xoki and Terrence Dzvukamanja.

Dzvukamanja scored the winning goal very late in the tie to ensure that Pirates complete the dramatic comeback after the two sides went to the break level on 1-1.

Sekhukhune broke the deadlock 12 minutes into the contest when a lapse in concentration from the Bucs defence allowed Sibusiso Vilakazi to cooly place the ball at the back of the net much to the disappointment of the majority of the Pirates’ faithful that were packed at a sold-out Loftus Stadium.

With the Buccaneers searching for an equaliser before halftime, Thembinkosi Lorch cleverly forced a handball inside the box off Victor Letsoalo, with the referee duly awarding a penalty for the Sea Robbers.

Xoki stepped up and made no mistake as Pirates restored parity before the halftime break.

Sekhukhune then started the second half like a house on fire firing in all cylinders in a bid to get the all-important goal that would have seen them clinch their first-ever domestic title but it wasn’t to be as Pirates had the last say very late in referee’s added time.

Dzvukamanja’s winner made sure that Pirates lift the Nedbank Cup for the ninth time while claiming it for the first time since the 2013/14 season.

Mamelodi Sundowns' Teboho Mokoena rounded off a brilliant 2022/23 PSL season with the Footballer of the Season award at the 2022/23 PSL Awards on Sunday night.

 

Going against teammate Ronwen Williams and Orlando Pirates' Monnapule Saleng, Mokoena claimed the biggest award of the night after playing a crucial role in Sundowns' sixth consecutive DStv Premiership success.

 

The former SuperSport United midfield maestro expressed his gratitude to the Sundowns' technical team, management, and players for the support and encouragement they have shown towards him throughout the season.

 

"I would like to thank the coaches who voted for me to win the footballer of the season award and I would also like to thank everyone at Mamelodi Sundowns, especially my teammates, the supporters, the Motsepe family, and above all coach Rulani for the work he has been able to put in my craft," Mokoena said.

 

In a night where the Sundowns stars dominated the awards winners list, head coach Rulani Mokwena won the coach of the season award while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams won the goalkeeper of the season award and Khuliso Mudau took home the defender of the season accolade and Cassius Mailula won the DStv Premiership young player of the season award.

 

Mokoena furthermore clinched the midfielder of the season accolade ahead of teammate Themba Zwane and Pirates' Saleng.

 

Meanwhile, Saleng took home the DStv Premiership player's Player of the Season award as well as the MTN 8 last-man-standing accolade.

 

Kaizer Chiefs' Yusuf Maart won the 2022/23 PSL goal of the season award for his long-range shot from the centre line against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby on the 29th of October 2022.

 

Sundowns' Peter Shalulile and Cape Town City's Khanyiso Mayo both clinched the PSL top goal scorer award.

 

Here is a full list of other notable winners from the 2022/23 PSL awards:

 

 

Masixole Bambiso

 

 

Kamohelo Ramutsindela

 

 

Luphumlo Sifumba (Cape Town City)

 

 

Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC)

 

 

Olwethu Makhanya (Stellenbosch FC)

 

 

Peter Mancer and Alex Shakoane 

 
3. Everton survived once again as Leicester and Leeds United were relegated

Matchday 38 of the English Premier League saw Everton defeat Bournemouth 1-0 to prolong their stay in the English top-flight football while Leicester City and Leeds United will play in the Championship league next season.

Abdoulaye Doucoure was Everton’s hero at Goodison Park after the French-born midfielder scored the solitary goal from the edge of the box in the 57th minute to spark jubilant celebrations from the home fans.

Although they won 2-1 against West Ham United at the King Power Stadium, Leicester will join Leeds United and Southampton in the Championship next season.

Leeds went down 4-1 to Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road while Southampton played out to a 4-4 draw against Liverpool at St. Mary’s Stadium.

4. The Golden Lions rattled the Western Province as the Natal Sharks thrashed the Griffons.

Round 12 of the Currie Cup saw the Natal Sharks thrash the Griffons 35-9 at the North Harbour Stadium on Friday night while the Golden Lions went to the Athlone Stadium to demolish the Western Province 34-12.

Saturday saw a share of the spoils between the Free State Cheetahs and the Griquas as the two teams played out to a 29-29 draw at the Free State Stadium.

In another encounter on Saturday, the Blue Bulls got the better of the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium with a 24-17 victory.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday after enduring rain and continuous attack from Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso to stretch his lead at the top of the Formula One standings to 144 points.

Despite losing out on the first position, Alonso claimed the second spot while Alpine’s Esteban Ocon finished third.

Mercedes’ updated W14s racked up a solid haul of points as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell took fourth and fifth respectively, the latter’s five-second time penalty for clashing with Sergio Perez when he rejoined the track from an off in the slippery conditions not affecting his finishing position.

Home favourite Charles Leclerc crossed the line where he started in sixth, having been given a three-place grid penalty for impeding Lando Norris in qualifying, followed by the other Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz, who lost out with a spin in the wet conditions.