2008–09 South African Premiership

The 2008–09 South African Premiership, known as the ABSA Premiership for sponsorship purposes, and also commonly referred to as the PSL after the governing body, was the thirteenth season of the Premiership since its establishment in 1996.

Supersport United were the defending champions, having won their first Premiership title on the final day of the previous season. The campaign began in August 2008, ended in May 2009. A total of 16 teams contested in the league, 14 of which contested in the 2007–08 season, and two of which were promoted from the National First Division.

Season summary

SuperSport United defended their title to win their second consecutive Premiership title.

Orlando Pirates came close to taking the title in the final two games. Having drawn their penultimate game 1-1 against SuperSport, it went into the final game with SuperSport on 54 points - sitting two points clear with a superior goal difference. Pirates won their game against Amazulu 3-1, while SuperSport and Santos played out a goalless draw. Both teams were tied at the top of the points table with 55 points each.

SuperSport United won the league due to a greater goal difference, with +23 goals over Orlando Pirates's +17 goals.

Bay United were relegated to the National League after finishing at the bottom of the table on 21 points. Thanda Royal Zulu entered a playoff with teams from the National League to determine if they would retain their place in the Premiership or be relegated to the National League after ending 15th on the league table with 33 points.

Bloemfontein Celtic survived relegation on goal difference, ending 14th on the league table with 33 points. They were tied with Thanda Royal Zulu, but their goal difference were greater than that of Thanda Royal Zulu.

Clubs

*Ajax Cape Town
*AmaZulu
* Bay United
*Bidvest Wits
*Bloemfontein Celtic
*Free State Stars
* Golden Arrows
*Kaizer Chiefs
*Mamelodi Sundowns
* Maritzburg United
*Moroka Swallows
*Orlando Pirates
*Platinum Stars
* Santos
*Supersport United
*Thanda Royal Zulu

Promotion and relegation

Pre-Season

Teams promoted from 2007–08 National First Division
* Champions (Coastal Stream): Maritzburg United
* Play-offs: Bay United

Teams relegated to 2008–09 National First Division
* Last in Premiership: Black Leopards
* Play-offs: Jomo Cosmos

Post-Season

* Champions of the Inland Stream Jomo Cosmos took on Champions of the Costal Stream Carara Kicks in a two leg playoff for promotion to the Premiership.
* The first leg of the play-off saw the match end in a goalless draw at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on 7 May 2009.
* The second leg of the play-off saw Jomo Cosmos win Carara Kicks 2 – 1 at Vaal Technikon on 10 May 2009 to see Jomo Cosmos promoted to the Premiership.
* Thanda Royal Zulu who finished 15th on the Premiership table will go into a mini play-off tournament with Carara Kicks (who lost their play-off match with Jomo Cosmos), Mpumalanga Black Aces (who finished second in the Inland Stream) and F.C. Cape Town (who finished second in the Costal Stream).
* Carara Kicks will face Mpumalanga Black Aces and Thanda Royal Zulu will face F.C. Cape Town
Teams promoted from 2008 to 2009 National First Division
* Champions (Inland Stream) Jomo Cosmos
* Play-offs: Mpumalanga Black Aces

Teams relegated to 2009–10 National First Division
* Last in Premiership: Bay United
* Play-offs: Thanda Royal Zulu

League table

Results

PSL Awards

Teko Modise was the biggest winner at the annual Premier Soccer League awards dinner on 24 May 2009 at Gold Reef City Casino, pocketing a whopping R400 000 after he was named Footballer of the Year and Players' Player of the Year.

It was the second time that the Orlando Pirates midfielder bagged the coveted Footballer of the Year honour, following his controversial win last season. This time, however, Modise's brilliance from the unusual left of midfield position helped Pirates mount a championship bid.

Lucas Thwala, who earlier this month was named Pirates' Player of the Season ahead of Modise, was named the Premiership Player of the Year.

Ajax Cape Town's Franklin Cale won the award for the Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament.

Statistics

Top goalscorers

''As of May 23, 2009''

;19 goals
* Richard Henyekane ''( Golden Arrows)''

;16 goals
* Mabhuti Khenyeza ''(Ajax Cape Town)''

;10 goals
* Luis Rentería ''(Platinum Stars)''
* Surprise Moriri ''(Mamelodi Sundowns)''
* Anthony Laffor ''(SuperSport United)''
* Bernard Parker ''(Thanda Royal Zulu)''
* Sthembiso Ngcobo ''(Free State Stars)''

;9 goals
* Dumisani Ngwenya ''(AmaZulu)''
* Katlego Mashego ''(Orlando Pirates)''
* Gert Schalkwyk ''(Bloemfontein Celtic)''
* Bradley Ritson ''(AmaZulu)''

;8 goals
* Elias Pelembe ''(SuperSport United)''
* Lucas Thwala ''(Orlando Pirates)''
* Nkosinathi Nhleko ''(SuperSport United)''
;

Premiership managers

Kits 2008–2009

Dec 2008/Jan 2009 Transfer Window

References

External links

Premier Soccer League (PSL) Official Website

{{DEFAULTSORT:South African Premiership 2008-09
2008-09
2008–09 in African association football leagues
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