“Success is due to working as a team,” Tefu Mashamaite reacts after handing his Kaizer Chiefs Player of the Season award to his defensive partner Erick Mathoho. “I just feel lucky to be singled out with all these awards. It’s great to get recognition, but Tower has been a great partner in defence and he deserves it.”

The Amakhosi captain captured three awards at Sunday’s PSL Awards evening, including the Absa Premiership Player of the Season award.

At the Kaizer Chiefs Awards evening on Wednesday evening, Mashamaite won some more trophies: Player of the Month (for February and May) and the Fan Player of the Season.

The 30-year-old defender appreciated especially the Fan Player of the Season award, as it was voted for by the Chiefs supporters. It was amazing to see how the fans opted this season for a defender, while they normally prefer attack-minded players, who score goals.

Mashamaite’s centre-back partner Mathoho, meanwhile, got Player of the Month awards for December and March. He also won the Kaizer Chiefs Fair Play award.

The 25-year-old only received one yellow card in a league match this season, which is amazing for a defender. However, yellow cards are not the only topics looked at when getting this award - it’s to play fair in general, which Mathoho did, usually by being at the right place at the right time to win balls.

When Mashamaite stood at the podium, holding his Kaizer Chiefs Player of the Season award, which was sponsored by Vodacom, he surprisingly called Mathoho’s agent Tim Sukazi to join him. That’s when the 30-year-old indicated to hand over this precious award to his defensive partner.

Mathoho couldn’t be at the award, as he was operated on his toe late last week.

Early on Thursday morning, Mathoho phoned Mashamaite to thank him for his noble gesture.

“We share the same background,” Mashamaite points out, as the two both originate from Limpopo Province. “We are very close, not only on the field, but also off the field. Tower is a humble guy. I just felt the need to share this award with him, as we carried a lot of load together this season.”