The Telkom Knockout Players awards ceremony, which will be hosted by competition sponsors, Telkom and partners, PSL, is scheduled for Illovo's Wanderers Club Ball Room on Thursday, 29 April 2010.

Looking back to the whirlwind contest, there was an abundance of talent on display during the tournament and a good number of players paraded enough form and skill to bring themselves strongly into contention for accolades with their incredible form.

Kaizer Chiefs, reigning champions of the Telkom Knockout after defeating previous champions Ajax Cape Town at Durban's Absa Stadium on 10 April, may see their goalkeeper Arthur Bartman scooping the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award that carries a cool R 100 000. Ajax Cape Town’s veteran goalie Hans Vonk has also done tremendously well in between the posts and could spring a surprise, as does Senzo Meyiwa of Orlando Pirates.

Some of the Players in line for best defender honours include Tshifhiwa Mmbooi, Dominic Isaacs , Punch Masenamela and Thabang Rooi from Kaizer Chiefs, and any of the above defenders can be heavily tipped to walk away with the Defender of the Tournament trophy and a R100 000 cheque following their commitment and performance during the tournament. However, a strong bid for this award comes from teammate and captain, Jimmy Tau and Amazulu defender Pere Ariweriyai who has performed equally well to ensure that his club was extremely miserly when it came to conceding goals.

Bookmakers will find it hard to get their bets right in the Midfielder of the Tournament section, as a number of players delivered outstanding performances. Pirates’ Isaac Chansa impressed, as did Stanton Lewis from Ajax Cape Town. Ajax's Dipsy Selolwane and Chief’s Mandla Masango also go head to head in this category. Urban Warrior, Clifford Ngobeni, likewise stands a great chance as his creative mastery made the judges sit up and take notice. This award also carries a purse of R100 000.

The R150 000 prize-money for the Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament award will be put on ice by the sponsors as none of the players scored a minimum of five goals. Six strikers ended the tournament on two goals apiece, but this was not enough to convince the judges to award any cash in this category. Similarly, there will be no Hat-Trick in the Final award as nobody bulged the back of the net three times on 10 April 2010.

There has been a lot of debate around the country by the panel of judges in determining the Player of the Tournament finalists, and a number of deserving names put forward for nominations. Senzo Meyiwa, Orlando Pirates goal keeper cracked the nod from the judges, as did Amakhozi defender Dominic Isaacs. Kaizer Chiefs pair, Mandla Masango and Arthur Bartman were also nominated for top honours, and Ajax Midfielder Dipsy Selolwane similarly has the support of the judges in the category, as he excelled during the entire tournament. Whoever impressed the judges the most, stands to pocket a whooping R200 000.

Spare a thought for the panel of judges as they square off to deliberate the winners in the Telkom Knockout players’ awards. This year’s panelists are Robert Marawa – SABC and SuperSport , Menzi Magubane – Isolezwe, Duane De’lloca – SABC, John Goliath – Cape Times, Maxwell Ramaru – Daily Sun and Patrick Baloyi – Sunday World.