Veteran Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder John "Shoes" Moshoeu shrugged off the challenge of teammate and goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez and Silver Stars striker Surprise Moriri to claim the 2003 Coca-Cola Flair Player of the tournament at a glittering awards ceremony in Sandton on Monday.

Chiefs were the biggest winners on the night with six awards to their credit with combined prize money of R140 000 in individual prizes. However the biggest blunder from the organisers left Chiefs officials hopping mad after the R2 million winner's cheque and the trophy were not officially handed over at the end of the ceremony as it has been the custom over the years.

The organisers admitted it was an oversight on their part and tried in vain to apologise to the Amakhosi entourage. The players and their coach left the venue at the end of the proceedings bitterly disappointed. That aside, Amakhosi should have been proud to see their hardwork throughout the campaign rewarded.

Moshoeu, the current PSL leading goalscorer with six goals, has been a pillar of strength for the Glamour Boys since rejoining them last season. A talisman who played a significant part in helping Amakhosi to their second Coke Cup trophy in three years. On this occasion he was up against two other outstanding players in the tournament Fernandez and Moriri.

Fernandez was superb in goals for Amakhosi with some fine saves and his ball distribution always gave his side an added impetus when attacking. Moriri was the ace in the Stars pack and helped them to victories against Supersport United, Moroka Swallows and Golden Arrows.

But when the nominees when announced, there was no doubt as to where the award would go. At 37 (turning 38 on December 18) Moshoeu has rewritten the SA history books and displayed that age is nothing as long as the legs can still to do the job.

Amakhosi defender David Kannemeyer scooped the Flair Goal of the tournament worth R25 000 for his terrific strike in extra time of their first round match against Santos. The goal ensured safe passage into the next round for the Naturena side in a match that saw them miss first round exit by a whisker.

Patrick Mayo was the highest scorer in the tournament with three goals and got R25 000 for his efforts. The organisers announced that a decision was taken by the PSL to recognise goals that were scored in the abandoned semifinal between Chiefs and Wits where scored his second of the tournament. His third came from a penalty spot against Stars in the final.

Chiefs communications manager Putco Mafani got the Flair Club Official of the tournament worth R10 000 and was credited for contributing to the Amakhosi’s crowd attendance. Chiefs filled the stadiums to the rafters on three occasions - against Ajax Cape Town (a match that was attended by the Fifa technical inspection team), semifinals against Wits and finally Stars.

Overall, Chiefs were recognised as the Flair Team of the tournament. They shook off tough challenges from Wits University and Golden Arrows. This award carries a R25 000 prize money.

Stars did not walk home empty handed as their coach Owen da Gama got the Flair Coach of the tournament for guiding the rookie side to their first major cup final in their debut season in top-flight football. No mean feat considering that Da Gama was up against other astute coaches Dumitru and Roger de Sa of Wits. But this was also another award where the majority was in unison about its destination.

Chiefs midfielder Jabu Pule and Ajax Cape Town striker Josep Ngake were joint winners of the Fair Play award. This after they both displayed great sportsmanship in an emotionally charged quarterfinal at Ellis Park. They will share R10 000 for this.

At the start of the event PSL chief executive Trevor Phillips spoke at length about the success of this tournament, which had all the ingredients - giant killing acts, lots of exciting and skillful football and "some interesting refereeing decisions". Phillips paused a while when talking about the match officials but never went into details.

This was one category where the judges must have spent sleepless night trying to come up with one top match official. At the end of the day Petros Mathabela came up tops and walk away with R10 000.

While defending league champions Orlando Pirates were knocked out in the first round, they nevertheless put up a performance that warranted recognition. Bucs goalkeeper John Tlale won the Flair Save of the tournament for a fine save in the 22nd minute to deny Manning Rangers.

Stars - for their superb run throughout the competition - and Wits keeper Wayne Roberts for outstanding goalkeeping - were give Special Awards. Wits played nine league games and three cup matches (1162) without conceding a goal. A significant achievement from the youngster whose career seemed headed for the dumps after he was trapped in the drugs.

The Flair Lifetime award went to Jomo Cosmos coach and owner Jomo Sono. The Black Prince was up against other former greats Nelson "Teegane" Dladla, Pule "Ace" Ntsoelengoe, Mlungisi "Professor" Ngubane and Joel "Ace" Mnini. The winner of this award was determined by vote line.