Four of Bafana Bafana’s players at the COSAFA Cup have left their team’s buildup to South Africa’s start of tournament in Polokwane briefly to attend tonight’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) Awards as nominees.

The Maritzburg United trio of defender Siyanda Xulu, and midfielders Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebohang Maboe, and Orlando Pirates’ left-back Innocent Maela left the Bafana squad behind this morning for a day to attend the awards at Sandton Convention Centre.

They are part of South Africa coach Stuart Baxter’s young, emerging squad he has brought to the Cosafa Cup.

Ndlovu, just 21, has four nominations at the PSL Awards, for Midfielder, Young Player, Player’s Player and Footballer of the Season.

Xulu  and Maela are both nominated for Defender of the Season. Maboe is nominated for the Nedbank Cup’s Most Promising Player and Player of the Tournament.

Ndlovu has had a breaktrough season for Nedbank finalists Cup Maritzburg, who finished fourth in the PSL.

“It’s really amazing,” he said. “But all credit should be given to my coach, Fadlu Davids because he’s the one who’s been pushing me and hammering me.”

Bafana open their Cosafa Cup in Sunday’s quarterfinal at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium against the winners of Group A.