Orlando Pirates boss Ruud Krol was named the Premiership Coach of the Month for August while Buccaneers midfielder Benson Mhlongo landed the gong for Player of the Month.

Steward Masela, Absa Sponsorship Consultant said: "It's been a busy month for the Absa Premiership, with the first 32 games already played in only four weeks, that means the teams and players don't have time to play catch-up this season and the race is on. Well done to the winners and I hope that there will more frontrunners by the end of September."

There was not much of a debate around who should be the Absa Premiership Coach of the Month, with Rudi Krol from Orlando Pirates a firm favourite amongst all three judges.

"Krol has continued where he left off last season," commented one judge, with others mentioning that he has made brave decisions and kept the fans coming back for more.

The judging panel gave special mention to Boebie Solomons, coach of Santos, who they feel has developed the team into a solid outfit.

The final list of players was narrowed down to three with Bidvest Wits marksman, Calvin Kadi and the Pirates duo of Benson Mhlongo and new signing Andile Jali staking a claim.

In the end it was a choice between Kadi and Mhlongo.

Kadi has been the livewire for the 'Clever Boys' so far scoring four goals in as many games and topping the Absa Premiership goal charts. As for Mhlongo, the judges felt that he has led from the front this season.

After a short debate and comparing of notes, Mhlongo was confirmed as the Absa Premiership Player of the Month, receiving a trophy and a cheque for R10 000 compliments of Absa.

Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO, Kjetil Siem, congratulated the award winners.

"It's been an exciting start to the Absa Premiership with some interesting results, great goals and entertainment all round. Our best wishes to the respective winners and I'm certainly looking forward to the rest of the season," commented Siem.

"At each judging session, the panel was asked to nominate a Red Hot Young Player who will go forward to the final judging session, where a winner will be chosen at the end of the season. This month we have two young players that will be put forward, they are: Andile Jali and Thulani Serero of Ajax Cape Town," concluded Siem.