SuperSport full-back Siyabonga Nhlapo wants to see the PSL introduce a Tackle of the Season award to recognise exceptional defenders.
The league already has a Defender of the Season award, which was introduced in 2015, but Nhlapo feels defenders’ match-winning contributions are still overlooked.
“You look at the man of the match winners week in and week out, defenders are making tackles, but it would often go to the guys who scored. It does not matter what he does after that, just as long as he scored,” Nhlapo told The Citizen.
“I think for recognition for defenders, they should take that direction and that approach so that defenders are recognized in their regard.
“We cannot score every game but we can make a tackle and save the game or even be a match-winning tackle.”
The former Bidvest Wits player reckons an award needs to be introduced to give defenders further incentive to really push themselves.
“I think that should be taken up to the decision-makers in the Premier Soccer League so that we are motivated to do what we do, knowing there is a reward,” he added.
“I don’t think I want to play this game and when I retire, I look back and then I have 10 to 14 odd seasons and then I don’t have anything to show for [it].”