September Showdown: Who Will Crown the UAE Pro League’s Best Player, Keeper, and Coach?

Overview of the September nominees

The UAE Pro League’s governing body officially announced the final list of nominees for the Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, and Best Coach awards for September 2025. The announcement underscores the season’s ongoing storyline, highlighting individual brilliance and collective effort across the competition.

Best Player contenders

Leading the charge is Laba Kodjo of Al Ain, who has continued to be among the league’s top scorers, adding four goals in three September matches to reach seven for the season, and pushing his status as a club record scorer with his 125th goal for the Zaeem era. Karim Berkaoui of Al Dhafra has quickly proven his value, tallying five goals in three games in September to sit second with six goals overall, aided by his Saudi league experience which has translated smoothly to his new club’s ambitions. Dusan Tadic of Al Wahda has left an immediate mark, appearing in three matches and creating a goal, as the ‘Desert Eagles’ side sits second with 11 points thanks to his leadership and vision. Mohannad Ali of Dibba Al-Fujairah has shown sharp attacking form, scoring two goals in three matches to bring his season total to three, becoming a key option in Dibba’s push. Ahmad Noor Allah of Ittihad Kalba has delivered precise distribution, completing 258 passes in the month, with 207 accurate, 118 from the final third, and six key passes, underscoring his influence in midfield.

Best Goalkeeper nominees

Khaled Eissa of Al Ain has stood out as a reliable shot-stopper, contributing to the champions’ lead with 12 crucial saves in recent rounds as they sit atop the standings with 13 points. Mohammed Ali Al-Wali of Al Wasl has been a direct factor in the team’s solid form, guiding the Emperor to 10 points and fifth place with eight saves so far. Ali Al-Hosni of Ajman has shone, with nine points and a standout 13 saves, placing him among the season’s leading keepers and challenging the top of the table in terms of shot-stopping ability.

Best Coach nominees

Fok Razovic of Ittihad Kalba has steered the team to two wins and a draw for 10 points, one of Kalba’s best starts in the Pro League era. Vladimir Ivetic of Al Ain has maintained steady form, guiding the team to wins and draws that helped them reach a top position thanks to his experience and tactical vision. Louis Castro of Al Wasl has crafted a balanced run with two wins and a draw for 10 points, reinforcing his imprint on the squad since the season’s start.

Voting details

The Emirates Pro League announced that voting for September 2025 awards will open to fans via the official website and mobile app starting today (Friday) and will run for 24 hours. Winners will be announced through the league’s official accounts after the voting window closes, keeping fans on edge until the final verdict.

Outlook

With a lineup of star performers across attacking, guarding, and managerial roles, September’s awards spotlight promises a gripping contest that could shape the league’s narrative for the remainder of the season.

Punchline time: If football awards were a chess match, the fans would win on penalties every time—dramatic, loud, and somehow still about snacks. And remember, the real MVP is the person who remembered to bring the water bottles to the stands.