SHARP SHOOTING
STAR:
PETER
SHALULILE

FINISHES THE SEASON
IN STYLE
Peter Shalulile during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld Stadium© Samuel Shivambu BackpagePixAuthor: John AliuBlistering pace and lethal finishing have become the hallmark of Peter Shalulile’s skill set at Mamelodi Sundowns. An incredibly composed finisher in the final-third, the Namibian goal-machine was one of the cornerstones of our treble-clinching campaign. Commentators fondly called him the ‘fox in the box’ and they were absolutely spot on.Peter Shalulile celebrates a goal during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows at Loftus Versfeld Stadium© Samuel Shivambu - BackpagePixFrom the lung-busting runs on the flanks to the exquisite headers in the box, Shalulile is sensationally cementing his legacy as one of the very best strikers to ever grace the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Flourishing as the team’s key attacking outlet, the Namibian grabbed the headlines for his goal-scoring performances throughout the campaign.

Consequently, the fleet-footed forward claimed both the 2021/22 PSL Footballer of the Season and DStv Premiership Player's Player of the Season awards. The Sundowns marksman also clinched the Top Goal Scorer Award for scoring the most league goals with 23 strikes to his name. Thus, he equalled Collins Mbesuma as the only other player to win the top-scorer award twice. 
Peter Shalulile celebrates winning the DSTV Premiership
© Sydney Mahlangu - BackpagePix
Shalulile spoke about what it means to retain the Footballer of the Season and Player’s Player awards that he won last season, “Winning the treble means a lot to the team after a long campaign. These titles are proof that we are doing something right at Mamelodi Sundowns. On a personal note, I am very excited to be recognised, yet again, for my consistency in the league. There is certainly more we can achieve at the club. For the next season, we will push again to bring the trophies back to Chloorkop.”

One of Shalulile’s major highlights of the 2021-22 campaign occurred when he scored back-to-back hat-tricks against Golden Arrows and Moroka Swallows in April (the first player in Premiership history to achieve that feat). The Namibian’s total of 23 goals was two shy of Collins Mbesuma’s league-record tally of 25 goals which was registered in 2005. The Sundowns forward scored eight goals more than his nearest competitor (Royal AM’s Sepana Victor Letsoalo with 15, in the race for the Golden Boot).

Overall, Shalulile bagged 30 goals across all competitions in 45 games during the season. The Namibian also showed his inventiveness by creating seven assists during the campaign. Since he joined The Brazilians, Shalulile has smashed in 52 goals from 85 games, and also registered 15 assists.
Peter Shalulile celebrating a goal with Lyle Lakay© Sydney Mahlangu - BackpagePixIn other categories, Masandawana left-back and Bafana Bafana international, Lyle Lakay claimed the defender of the season award. The 30-year-old was in seventh heaven after the announcement, “This is one of the most exciting moments of my career. Contributing to the historic treble at Mamelodi Sundowns means so much to me. Winning this award makes the season even a greater achievement in my personal career.”

Co-head Coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena took home the DStv Premiership Coach of the Season Award. Coach Rulani believes the team will continue to be a force to be reckoned with next season, “We have achieved an incredible feat, yet again, as we are always setting new standards at this magnificent club. The plan is to set new targets for next season and we will be determined more than ever to achieve them.”

Under their guidance, Sundowns accumulated 65 points, scoring 56 goals (a record in a 30-game PSL campaign). The Brazilians also lost the fewest games (3), conceded the fewest number of goals (20), and registered a superb goal difference of +36 (a new top-flight record for the best goal difference in a single 30-game season).
Congratulations to every Sundowns member that walked away with an award and to everyone associated with the Yellow Nation Family.