South African Premier Division
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Organising body | Premier Soccer League |
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Founded | 1996 |
Country |
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Confederation | Confederation of African Football |
Number of teams | 16 |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | National First Division |
Domestic cup(s) |
Nedbank Cup MTN 8 |
League cup(s) | Telkom Knockout |
International cup(s) |
Champions League Confederation Cup |
Current champions |
Mamelodi Sundowns (8th title) (2017–18) |
Most championships | Mamelodi Sundowns (8 titles) |
Top goalscorer | Siyabonga Nomvethe (111 Goals) |
TV partners | SuperSport, SABC1 |
Website | www.psl.co.za |
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The South African Premier Division (referred to as the Absa Premiership for sponsorship reasons) is the highest division of South African football league system. As the division is the top level of association football in South Africa, it is often referred to as the PSL – the name of the league's administrator.
The Premier Soccer League, South Africa's "administrator of professional football in the Republic of South Africa" refer to the competition as the "Premier Division" in their constitution.[1]
History
The league was founded in 1996 after an agreement between the National Soccer League (South Africa) and the remnants of the National Professional Soccer League (South Africa). [2]
The league was reduced from 18 to 16 teams after the end of the 2001–02 season to avoid fixture congestion, causing two teams, Ria Stars and Free State Stars, to be disbanded.
In 2004, a match-fixing scandal rocked South African football. An investigation codenamed "Operation Dribble" was launched by the South African police in June 2004. More than 40 arrests were made, ranging from club bosses to match commissioners, referees and their assistants.
Kaizer Chiefs successfully defended their league title in 2005 after they won the prestigious trophy in 2004 for the first time in a decade.
The 2005–06 season saw Mamelodi Sundowns capturing the title for the fourth time.
In 2007, the PSL signed a television deal with SuperSport worth R1.6-billion. It is the biggest sporting deal in the history of South Africa, and it took the Premier Division into the top 15 ranked leagues in the world in terms of commercial broadcast deals.
In the same year ABSA replaced Castle Lager as name sponsor.
In 2008, 2009 and 2010 Supersport United won a hat-trick of titles.
The league currently has teams in most of the country's largest cities, with Port Elizabeth being the obvious exception. The city has not had a team in the league since the 2008–09 Premier Soccer League, when the city's Bay United F.C. were relegated.
As of May 2017, the league is rated as the 5th best in Africa according to the CAF 5-Year Ranking system.
CEOs
Trevor Phillips 1996–1998 Joe Ndlela 1998–2000 (fired) Robin Petersen 2000–2001 (resigned) Trevor Phillips 2002–2007 Kjetil Siem 2007–2011 Zola Majavu 2011 (resigned) Stanley Matthews 2012 (resigned) Cambridge Mokanyane 2013 (acting) Brand de Villers 2013–2015 Mato Madlala 2016– Present (acting)
Sponsorship
Since its inception in 1996, the Premier Division has been sponsored. The sponsor has been able to determine the league's sponsorship name. The list below details who the sponsors have been and what they called the competition:
- 1996-07: Castle Lager (Castle Premiership)
- 2007–: ABSA (ABSA Premiership)
TV rights
South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) has awarded a $277 million, five year television rights deal to the country’s SuperSport satellite channel, operated by media conglomerate Naspers. The deal, which begins in a year’s time, extends the arrangement SuperSport entered into with PSL in 2007, covering the five years to May 2012 at a cost of $200 million (1.6 billion rand).[3] Broadcasting about seven live football matches a week, SuperSport sub-licenses certain games to the state TV network, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
Format
There are sixteen clubs in the Premier League. During the course of a season (which lasts from August to May) each club plays the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents for a total of 30 games for each club. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a defeat.
The champion and runners up of the Premier Division advances to the CAF Champions League, while the third-place finishers and the Nedbank Cup champions advance to the CAF Confederation Cup, which is the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.
The bottom team in the ABSA Premiership is automatically relegated and replaced by the winner of the National First Division. The team finishing 15th on the log enters a mini-league playoff with the teams who finished 2nd and 3rd in the National First Division – the winner earning a place in Premier Soccer League for the following season.
Media coverage
The league's main broadcast partner is SuperSport. SuperSport have in turn sub leased the rights to certain matches to the SABC, so that matches can be shown on public television.
SuperSport broadcast matches on Wednesday and Friday nights, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays. The SABC broadcast Wednesday afternoon matches, as well as Saturday and Sunday matches.
Clubs
Past seasons
Previous Winners, Runners-up and Relegated/Promoted Teams
Season | Winner | Runner-up | Relegated at end of season | Promoted at end of season |
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1996–97 | Manning Rangers | Kaizer Chiefs | Michau Warriors, Witbank Aces | Santos, African Wanderers |
1997–98 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Kaizer Chiefs | African Wanderers, Real Rovers | Seven Stars, Dynamos |
1998–99 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Kaizer Chiefs | Dynamos, Vaal Professionals | African Wanderers, Tembisa Classic |
1999-00 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Orlando Pirates | AmaZulu, Mother City | Golden Arrows, Ria Stars |
2000–01 | Orlando Pirates | Kaizer Chiefs | Bloemfontein Celtic, African Wanderers | AmaZulu, Black Leopards |
2001–02 | Santos | Supersport United | AmaZulu, Tembisa Classic | African Wanderers, Dynamos |
2002–03 | Orlando Pirates | Supersport United | Bush Bucks, African Wanderers | AmaZulu, Silver Stars |
2003–04 | Kaizer Chiefs | Ajax Cape Town | Hellenic, Zulu Royals | Bush Bucks, Bloemfontein Celtic |
2004–05 | Kaizer Chiefs | Orlando Pirates | Manning Rangers, Wits University | Free State Stars, Tembisa Classic |
2005–06 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Orlando Pirates | Free State Stars, Bush Bucks | Wits University, Benoni Premier United |
2006–07 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Platinum Stars | Maritzburg United | Free State Stars |
2007–08 | Supersport United | Ajax Cape Town | Black Leopards, Jomo Cosmos | Maritzburg United, Bay United |
2008–09 | Supersport United | Orlando Pirates | Bay United, Thanda Royal Zulu | Jomo Cosmos, Mpumalanga Black Aces |
2009–10 | Supersport United | Mamelodi Sundowns | Jomo Cosmos | Vasco da Gama |
2010–11 | Orlando Pirates | Ajax Cape Town | Mpumalanga Black Aces, Vasco da Gama | Jomo Cosmos, Black Leopards |
2011–12 | Orlando Pirates | Moroka Swallows | Santos, Jomo Cosmos | University of Pretoria, Chippa United |
2012–13 | Kaizer Chiefs | Platinum Stars | Chippa United, Black Leopards | Mpumalanga Black Aces, Polokwane City |
2013–14 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Kaizer Chiefs | Golden Arrows | Chippa United |
2014–15 | Kaizer Chiefs | Mamelodi Sundowns | Moroka Swallows, AmaZulu | Golden Arrows, Jomo Cosmos |
2015–16 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Bidvest Wits | Jomo Cosmos, University of Pretoria | Baroka, Highlands Park |
2016–17 | Bidvest Wits | Mamelodi Sundowns | Highlands Park | AmaZulu |
2017–18 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Orlando Pirates | Ajax Cape Town, Platinum Stars | Highlands Park, Black Leopards |
Most league titles
Manager records
League winning managers
Season | Winner | Manager |
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1996–97 | Manning Rangers | |
1997–98 | Mamelodi Sundowns | |
1998–99 | Mamelodi Sundowns | |
1999-00 | Mamelodi Sundowns | |
2000–01 | Orlando Pirates | |
2001–02 | Santos | |
2002–03 | Orlando Pirates | |
2003–04 | Kaizer Chiefs | |
2004–05 | Kaizer Chiefs | |
2005–06 | Mamelodi Sundowns | |
2006–07 | Mamelodi Sundowns | |
2007–08 | Supersport United | |
2008–09 | Supersport United | |
2009–10 | Supersport United | |
2010–11 | Orlando Pirates | |
2011–12 | Orlando Pirates | |
2012–13 | Kaizer Chiefs F.C. | |
2013–14 | Mamelodi Sundowns | |
2014–15 | Kaizer Chiefs F.C. | |
2015–16 | Mamelodi Sundowns | |
2016–17 | Bidvest Wits | |
2017–18 | Mamelodi Sundowns | |
League records
- Ever presents (474 matches): Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United
- Most Premier Division titles: 8 – Mamelodi Sundowns (1997/98), (1998/99), (1999/00), (2005/06), (2006/07), (2013/14), (2015/16), (2016/17)
- Biggest Premier Division win: 8–1 – SuperSport United vs Zulu Royals (2003/04)
- Most wins: 237 – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Most draws: 154 – Orlando Pirates
- Most defeats: 184 – Ajax CT
- Most goals scored in a season: 73 – Kaizer Chiefs (1998/99)
- Most goals conceded in a season: 85 – Mother City (1999/00)
- Most points in a season: 75 – Mamelodi Sundowns (1999/00); 75 - Kaizer Chiefs (1998/99)
League participants
Club | Number of seasons in Premier Division | Seasons |
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African Wanderers | 4 | 1997/98, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2002/03 |
AmaZulu | 15 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2003/04,[note 1] 2004/05, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 |
Ajax Cape Town | 18 | 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 |
Baroka | 1 | 2016/17 |
Bay United | 1 | 2008/09 |
Benoni Premier United | 1 | 2006/07 |
Bidvest Wits University | 20 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 |
Black Leopards | 9 | 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2011/12, 2012/13 |
Bloemfontein Celtic | 18 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 |
Bush Bucks | 9 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06 |
Cape Town Spurs | 3 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99[note 2] |
Cape Town City | 1 | 2016/17 |
Chippa United | 4 | 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 |
Dynamos | 5 | 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, |
Free State Stars | 17 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99,[note 3] 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 |
Hellenic | 8 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04 |
Highlands Park | 1 | 2016/17 |
Jomo Cosmos | 15 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2015/16 |
Kaizer Chiefs | 21 | all |
Lamontville Golden Arrows | 16 | 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17 |
Mamelodi Sundowns | 21 | all |
Manning Rangers | 9 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05 |
Maritzburg United | 10 | 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 |
Michau Warriors | 1 | 1996/97 |
Moroka Swallows | 19 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 |
Mother City | 1 | 1999/00 |
Mpumalanga Black Aces | 6 | 1996/97,[note 4] 2009/10, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 |
Orlando Pirates | 21 | all |
Platinum Stars | 14 | 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07,[note 5] 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 |
Polokwane City | 4 | 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 |
Real Rovers | 2 | 1996/97, 1997/98 |
Ria Stars | 2 | 2000/01, 2001/02 |
Santos | 15 | 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12 |
Seven Stars | 1 | 1998/99[note 2] |
Supersport United | 21 | all |
Tembisa Classic | 4 | 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2005/06 |
Thanda Royal Zulu | 2 | 2007/08, 2008/09 |
University of Pretoria | 4 | 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 |
Vaal Professionals | 3 | 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99 |
Vasco Da Gama | 1 | 2010/11 |
- ↑ Amazulu participated as Zulu Royals in 2003/04
- 1 2 Cape Town Spurs and Seven Stars were merged to create Ajax Cape Town
- ↑ Free State Stars participated as Qwa Qwa Stars in 1996/97, 1997/98 and 1998/99
- ↑ Participated as Witbank Aces in 1996/1997
- ↑ Platinum Stars participated as Silver Stars in 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07
Top goalscorers
All time top goalscorers
- 111 goals: Siyabonga Nomvete[17]
- 110 goals: Daniel Mudau[17]
- 104 goals: Manuel Bucuane
- 104 goals: Mabhuti Khenyeza[17]
- 101 goals: Siphiwe Tshabalala
- 101 goals: Collins Mbesuma
NB: list includes all players who have scored at least 100 goals in the PSL era. Also includes cup competitions.
Source:[18]
Current players playing in other confederations
Footballers who have previously played for Premier Division clubs, and currently play for clubs in other confederations.
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Founder Members
See also
External links
References
- ↑ "NSL Constitution" (pdf). Premier Soccer League.
- ↑ https://www.supersport.com/football/sasoccer/content.aspx?id=20431
- ↑ SuperSport acquires TV rights to SA football league
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-02-19. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-10-14. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-10-14. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-10-14. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-08-26. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ↑ http://www.thepsl.co.za/content.asp?id=16477%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-05-11. Retrieved 2011-05-11.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
- ↑ "Premier Soccer League". soccerassociation.com. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ↑ http://www.kickoff.com/league/absa-premiership/match-centre#tab_mc-scorers
- ↑ http://www.kickoff.com/league/absa-premiership/match-centre#tab_mc-scorers
- 1 2 3 Makhaya, Ernest. "AMAZULU STRIKER SIYABONGA NOMVETHE BECOMES PSL'S ALL-TIME GOALSCORER", Goal_(website), England, 21 October 2017. Retrieved on 23 October 2017.
- ↑ http://www.kickoff.com/news/37584/mabhuti-khenyeza-reaches-psl-record-100-goals-list