Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Nelson ‘Teenage’ Dladla and Orlando Pirates legend Patson ‘Sparks’ Banda were some of the football legends honoured at the South African Sport Awards on Sunday evening.
The 19th edition of the SA Sport Awards took place at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West.
Those who watched him play described Dladla as a special player, football artist and entertainer who made jersey number 11 famous during his time at Amakhosi.
In 1981, Dladla won Footballer of the Year, Datsun Pulsar Footballer of the Year, and Players’ Player of the Year, with one prize being a ticket to the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain.
Banda is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers to play for the Buccaneers. He played for Pirates for over a decade, with his overall football career spanning almost 20 years through the 1970s and 1980s.
FORMER KAIZER CHIEFS AND ORLANDO PIRATES LEGENDS HONOURED AT SA SPORTS AWARDS
The pair received the Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket Award alongside Mlungisi ‘Professor’ Ngubane. Ngubane is a former Durban Bush Bucks and AmaZulu FC dribbling wizard. Former Los Angeles Aztecs player Martin Cohen also received the award. The Green Jacket Award honours sporting heroes and heroines discriminated against under the apartheid regime.
ABONGILE TOM MISS OUT ON AWARD DESPITE AN UNFORGETTABLE YEAR
Meanwhile, PSL referee Abongile Tom missed out on the Technical Official of the Year award. Tom, regarded as one of the country’s top match officials, had one of the best years of his career.
The 34-year-old recently came back from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Despite not taking charge as a match referee in North America, Tom served in supporting roles, including as the fourth official.
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