PSL 2023
The 2023–24 Premier Soccer League season will begin on Friday, 4 August when Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United square off at Peter Mokaba Stadium. As the Brazilians take on the 2023 Nedbank Cup finalists, the wait for the beginning of the new term is finally over.
The PSL champion Sundowns is attempting to extend their record by winning their eighth straight league championship. Also Masandawana will be working hard to begin their title defence on a positive note after a busy preseason highlighted by a training camp in the Netherlands. So what will the PSL 2023 hold in store this year? Therefore let us have a closer look at which clubs are participating and who to keep an eye on.
Clubs
Did you know that the DStv Premiership is the official name for the South African Premier League (PSL)? There are 16 teams in the league that have also signed top-tier football players from the nation. In the South Africa Premier League, the highest-paid soccer players have impeccable career records and a passion for the game. So here are the top 16 teams:
- AmaZulu
- Cape Town City FC
- Cape Town Spurs
- Chippa United
- Golden Arrows
- Kaizer Chiefs
- Mamelodi Sundowns
- Moroka Swallows
- Orlando Pirates
- Polokwane City
- Richards Bay
- Royal AM
- Sekhukhune United
- Stellenbosch
- SuperSport United
- TS Galaxy
About the Premier Soccer League
The National Soccer League (NSL) also goes by the trade name Premier Soccer League (PSL). It oversees professional football in the Republic of South Africa as an Affiliate Member of the South African Football Association (SAFA). In 1996, the PSL was established.
In 1997, Manning Rangers, led by Gordon Igesund, became the first team to win the PSL championship after surprising many of their more anticipated rivals to do so. Furthermore, Mamelodi Sundowns, who won a hat-trick of championships, dominated the league from 1998 to 2000.
Also, Igesund relocated to the Orlando Pirates in 2001, where he assisted the ‘Buccaneers’ in winning the championship. He moved to Cape Town-based Santos the following season, when he led it to the league title, becoming the first coach to win the trophy with three separate teams. In the 2007–2008 season, he won it once more, this time with Mamelodi Sundowns.
After the 2001–2002 season, the Premier Soccer League’s size was decreased from 18 to 16 teams in order to eliminate scheduling conflicts, which led to the dissolution of two teams, the Ria Stars and the Free State Stars. Kaizer Chiefs won the coveted trophy in 2004 for the first time in ten years, and they successfully defended it in 2005. Mamelodi Sundowns won the championship for a record-tying fourth time during the 2005–2006 year.
The PSL has contributed to improving club football in South Africa by giving the sport better media coverage and much more money through strong sponsorship agreements. Also well-known companies including Nedbank, Telkom, and Absa are sponsors. Castle, Coca-Cola, and Vodacom are the official suppliers. Additionally, it has given homegrown athletes a chance to shine and draw the attention of foreign clubs.
Top 5 Highest paid PSL Soccer Players
Salaries in the premier football league vary greatly based on the team, also experience level, and contract details. The 5 soccer players in the PSL with the highest salaries are shown below.
- Keagan Larenzo Dolly is the highest paid player in South Africa. He also plays as an attacking midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL and the South Africa national team.
- Samir Nurkovic is a Serbian football striker who plays for Durban-based PSL Club Royal AM FC. He is one of the top 20 highest-paid players in Africa, he earns roughly R930K per month.
- Khama Billiat is a Zimbabwean professional football player and he plays for Kaizer Chiefs as a midfielder. His monthly salary is around R850K per month.
- Itumeleng Khune plays as the goalkeeper for the Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana, his current salary is about R450K per month.
- Ricardo Nascimento is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a defender for Royal AM FC. His monthly salary is around R400K and he has played for Palmeiras, Ole Brasil and Mamelodi Sundowns before.
Best Soccer Betting Sites
There are many best soccer betting sites in South Africa you can choose from this PSL 2023 season. You will find great promotions and welcome bonusses across the board, going into the soccer season we are sure to see many more lucrative offers. 10bet, PlayaBets, Hollywoodbets and Betway are some of the few great betting sites to consider.
Bring on the PSL 2023!
South Africa’s domestic top flight league is called the DStv Premiership. It has sixteen Member Clubs and runs from August to May which constitutes the season.
The team that places 15th in the DStv Premiership competes in the Promotion Play-offs alongside two other member clubs from the GladAfrica Championship, while the team that places last is automatically relegated.
There is plenty of soccer and to keep you entertained this PSL 2023 season!