With the Premier Soccer League (PSL) at its halfway point, SASoccerMag writer Dean Workman takes a look at the top performers in the DStv Premiership.
The first half of the 2021-22 season has seen several DStv Premiership stars shine, some picking up where they left off last season, others have returned to the league with a bang and one in particular who looks to be back to his devastating best.
Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)
The 2020-21 PSL Footballer of the Season has continued to show his prowess in front of goal, along with an ability to link play with his teammates that is the envy of every side in the league.
Coming into his second season at Mamelodi Sundowns, after a debut campaign where he netted 22 goals and made eight assists in 39 games across all competitions,
Shalulile has continued to hit the back of the net with regularity. The Namibian is on course for his second Golden Boot.
Despite the plethora of options available at Chloorkop, Sahlulile is a constant in the line-up, highlighting his importance. He will be looking to continue his fine form in the second half of the season to do his part in maintaining Sundowns’ dominance of South African football.
Keagan Dolly (Kaizer Chiefs)
His Kaizer Chiefs career may have got off to a slow start, as he fought to lose weight and get back to fitness. He returned home after a spell in France where he struggled with injuries and didn’t get much game time, particularly at the end of his contract.
The winger, however, has finally found his feet and has been one of the main reasons why Chiefs have managed to navigate an inconsistent start and begin to climb the league table.
The 28-year-old did not do much to influence his team in his first four league games, but his Chiefs career sprung to life as he scored six goals and provided three assists in his next seven games.
Dolly has also rekindled his partnership with former Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Khama Billiat, with the duo combining to good effect on several occasions. With him back to top form, Chiefs can develop into genuine title contenders and push Sundowns all the way.
Victor Letsoalo (Royal AM)
The striker was seemingly the main benefactor of Royal AM’s purchase of Bloemfontein Celtic’s league status and subsequent promotion to the Premiership.
Letsoalo played a significant role in his side’s fantastic start in the first half of the campaign and his goals helped fire his side to the top end of the table. He has also put in strong performances in the big games, his brace against Chiefs standing out, which has seen the forward garner the attention of some of the biggest clubs in the country.
He was also rewarded with a spot in Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad. A move in January could be on the cards but Royal AM will be desperate to hold onto their goal machine.
Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs)
Much was expected from the Zimbabwean striker when he turned down a new contract at Mamelodi Sundowns to join Chiefs on a free transfer in 2018. Things, however, didn’t go according to plan as he struggled to settle and the Glamour Boys went through several managerial changes and several crises at the club.
Even in Ernst Middendorp’s nearly season, where Chiefs almost pipped Sundowns to the title in 2019-20, Billiat was a shadow of his former self. However, the return of Stuart Baxter and former Sundowns teammate Keagan Dolly has seemingly turned things around for the playmaker.
Billiat and Chiefs will be hoping that he can continue to have a significant impact as they will need all the firepower available at Naturena if they are going to mount a challenge on Mamelodi Sundowns pursuit of a fifth straight title.