The 2008–09
Premier Soccer League
Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier.
A premier will normally be a head of governm ...
season (known as the ABSA Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the thirteenth since its establishment.
Supersport United were the defending champions, having won their first Premier Soccer League 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 have been promoted from the
National First Division
The National First Division (NFD), officially known as the Motsepe Foundation Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest league of South African club association football, football after the South African Premier Division. Both t ...
.
Season summary
Supersport United defended their title to win their second consecutive Premiership title.
Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates Football Club (often known as "The Buccaneers") is a South African professional football club based in the Houghton suburb of the city of Johannesburg and plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as DStv ...
came close to taking the title in the final game. Both teams were tied at the top of the points table with 55 points each.
Supersport United had a greater goal difference with 23 goals over
Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates Football Club (often known as "The Buccaneers") is a South African professional football club based in the Houghton suburb of the city of Johannesburg and plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as DStv ...
's 17 goals.
Bay United
Bay United was a South African professional association football, football (soccer) club based first in the city of Port Elizabeth and later Polokwane. It played in the South African Premier Division and National First Division.
The club came in ...
were relegated to the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
after finishing at the bottom of the table on 21 points.
Thanda Royal Zulu will go into a playoff with teams from the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
to determain if they will retain their place in the
PSL or be relegated to the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
after ending 15th on the league table with 33 points.
Bloemfontein Celtic
Bloemfontein Celtic Football Club (simply known as Celtic) is a South African amateur football club based in Bloemfontein that competes in the ABC Motsepe League, the third tier of the South African football league system. Bloemfontein Celtic has ...
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
Cape Town Spurs F.C. (formerly known as Ajax Cape Town) is a South African professional football club based in Parow in the city of Cape Town that plays in the National First Division. Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax was their parent club and ...
*
AmaZulu
Zulu people (; zu, amaZulu) are a Nguni ethnic group native to Southern Africa. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, with an estimated 10–12 million people, living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Nata ...
*
Bay United
Bay United was a South African professional association football, football (soccer) club based first in the city of Port Elizabeth and later Polokwane. It played in the South African Premier Division and National First Division.
The club came in ...
*
Bidvest Wits
Bidvest Wits Football Club,
(simply often known as Wits University F.C. or Wits) was a South African professional football club from Johannesburg which played in the Premier Soccer League the first-tier of South African league football system ...
*
Bloemfontein Celtic
Bloemfontein Celtic Football Club (simply known as Celtic) is a South African amateur football club based in Bloemfontein that competes in the ABC Motsepe League, the third tier of the South African football league system. Bloemfontein Celtic has ...
*
Free State Stars
Free State Stars Football club is a South African professional football club based in Bethlehem, Free State that plays in the National First Division. Formerly known as Makwane Computer Stars and Qwa Qwa Stars, their most significant honour i ...
*
Golden Arrows
Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C. are a South African soccer club based in Durban that plays in the Premier Soccer League.
History
It was founded in 1943 in the streets of Lamontville, a township in Durban. The club played in the defunct Nation ...
*
Kaizer Chiefs
*
Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club (simply known as Sundowns) is a South African professional football club based in Mamelodi, Pretoria in the Gauteng province that plays in the Premier Soccer League, the first tier of South African football ...
*
Maritzburg United
Maritzburg United is a South African football club based in the city of Pietermaritzburg that currently plays in the Premier Soccer League.
Honours
*First Division Coastal Stream champions: 2007–08
*First Division Championship Play-offs: 2 ...
*
Moroka Swallows
*
Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates Football Club (often known as "The Buccaneers") is a South African professional football club based in the Houghton suburb of the city of Johannesburg and plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as DStv ...
*
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
Maritzburg United is a South African football club based in the city of Pietermaritzburg that currently plays in the Premier Soccer League.
Honours
*First Division Coastal Stream champions: 2007–08
*First Division Championship Play-offs: 2 ...
* Play-offs:
Bay United
Bay United was a South African professional association football, football (soccer) club based first in the city of Port Elizabeth and later Polokwane. It played in the South African Premier Division and National First Division.
The club came in ...
Teams relegated to 2008–09 National First Division
* Last on PSL:
Black Leopards
Black Leopards FC is a South African football club based in Thohoyandou, Vhembe Region, Limpopo that plays in the National First Division.
History
The club was founded in 1983 by business people in the Vhembe Region. In 1998 the club was tak ...
* 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
Premier Division.
* The first leg of the play-off saw the match end in a goalless draw at the
Charles Mopeli Stadium
Charles Mopeli Stadium is located in Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa. It is mostly used by the PSL club Free State Stars and the National First Division club African Warriors
African Warriors are a South African football club based in Phuthaditjha ...
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
Premier Division.
*
Thanda Royal Zulu who finished 15th on the
Premier Division table will go into a mini play-off tournament with
Carara Kicks (who lost their play-off match with
Jomo Cosmos),
Mpumalanga Black Aces
Black Aces were a South African football club that played in the Premier Soccer League. Aces usually played their home games in the Mpumalanga province but were based and trained in Johannesburg.
History
The original club was founded in 1937 by ...
(who finished second in the Inland Stream) and
F.C. Cape Town (who finished second in the Costal Sream).
*
Carara Kicks will face
Mpumalanga Black Aces
Black Aces were a South African football club that played in the Premier Soccer League. Aces usually played their home games in the Mpumalanga province but were based and trained in Johannesburg.
History
The original club was founded in 1937 by ...
and
Thanda Royal Zulu will face
F.C. Cape Town
Teams promoted from 2008–09 National First Division
* Champions (Inland Stream)
Jomo Cosmos
* Play-offs:
Mpumalanga Black Aces
Black Aces were a South African football club that played in the Premier Soccer League. Aces usually played their home games in the Mpumalanga province but were based and trained in Johannesburg.
History
The original club was founded in 1937 by ...
Teams relegated to 2009–10 National First Division
* Last on PSL:
Bay United
Bay United was a South African professional association football, football (soccer) club based first in the city of Port Elizabeth and later Polokwane. It played in the South African Premier Division and National First Division.
The club came in ...
* Play-offs:
Thanda Royal Zulu
League table
Results
PSL Awards
Teko Modise was the biggest winner at the annual
Premier Soccer League
Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier.
A premier will normally be a head of governm ...
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
Orlando Pirates Football Club (often known as "The Buccaneers") is a South African professional football club based in the Houghton suburb of the city of Johannesburg and plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as DStv ...
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
Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and other valuable goods. Those who conduct acts of piracy are called pirates, v ...
mount a championship bid.
Lucas Thwala
Lucas Bongane Thwala (born 19 October 1981 in Nelspruit) is a retired South African football defender who last played for SuperSport United in the Premier Soccer League
Premier is a title for the head of government in central governmen ...
, 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
Cape Town Spurs F.C. (formerly known as Ajax Cape Town) is a South African professional football club based in Parow in the city of Cape Town that plays in the National First Division. Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax was their parent club and ...
's
Franklin Cale won the award for the
Telkom Knockout
The Telkom Knockout was a South African professional football knockout competition which comprised the 16 teams in the South African Premier Soccer League.
The competition was established in 1982 and was first known as the Datsun Challenge. Under ...
Player of the Tournament.
Statistics
Top goalscorers
''As of May 23, 2009''
;19 goals
*
Richard Henyekane
Richard Henyekane (28 September 1983 – 7 April 2015) was a South African professional footballer who also represented the national team.
Early and personal life
Henyekane hails from Kimberley's Galeshewe township; his younger brother Josep ...
''(
Golden Arrows
Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C. are a South African soccer club based in Durban that plays in the Premier Soccer League.
History
It was founded in 1943 in the streets of Lamontville, a township in Durban. The club played in the defunct Nation ...
)''
;16 goals
*
Mabhuti Khenyeza
Mabhuti Khanyeza, (born 17 June 1982 in Howick) is a retired South African association football striker.
Career
Khanyeza's arrival from Lamontville Golden Arrows in July 2007 after he had spent five seasons at the KwaZulu-Natal based team ...
''(
Ajax Cape Town
Cape Town Spurs F.C. (formerly known as Ajax Cape Town) is a South African professional football club based in Parow in the city of Cape Town that plays in the National First Division. Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax was their parent club and ...
)''
;10 goals
*
Luis Rentería
Luis Gabriel Rentería (September 13, 1988 – March 6, 2014) was a Panamanian football forward, who played at the end of his professional career for Tauro in the Liga Panameña de Fútbol.
Club career
Nicknamed ''Matagatos'' (Catkiller), Re ...
''(
Platinum Stars)''
*
Surprise Moriri ''(
Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club (simply known as Sundowns) is a South African professional football club based in Mamelodi, Pretoria in the Gauteng province that plays in the Premier Soccer League, the first tier of South African football ...
)''
*
Anthony Laffor
Anthony Snoti Laffor (born 17 February 1985) is a Liberian professional footballer who last played as a winger for South African side Chippa United.
Club career
Born in Monrovia, Laffor has played club football in Liberia, Ghana, and South A ...
''(
SuperSport United)''
*
Bernard Parker
Bernard Parker (born 16 March 1986) is a South African professional association footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for Premier Soccer League club TS Galaxy. Between 2007 and 2015 he made 73 appearances for the South Africa n ...
''(
Thanda Royal Zulu)''
*
Sthembiso Ngcobo
Sthembiso Ngcobo (born 24 September 1983 in Durban) is a South African association football striker for Premier Soccer League club Free State Stars, Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu and Bidvest Wits.
Career
He signed for promotion gaining Free State ...
''(
Free State Stars
Free State Stars Football club is a South African professional football club based in Bethlehem, Free State that plays in the National First Division. Formerly known as Makwane Computer Stars and Qwa Qwa Stars, their most significant honour i ...
)''
;9 goals
*
Dumisani Ngwenya ''(
AmaZulu
Zulu people (; zu, amaZulu) are a Nguni ethnic group native to Southern Africa. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, with an estimated 10–12 million people, living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Nata ...
)''
*
Katlego Mashego ''(
Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates Football Club (often known as "The Buccaneers") is a South African professional football club based in the Houghton suburb of the city of Johannesburg and plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as DStv ...
)''
*
Gert Schalkwyk ''(
Bloemfontein Celtic
Bloemfontein Celtic Football Club (simply known as Celtic) is a South African amateur football club based in Bloemfontein that competes in the ABC Motsepe League, the third tier of the South African football league system. Bloemfontein Celtic has ...
)''
*
Bradley Ritson
Bradley Ritson (born 27 March 1982 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal) is a retired South African football striker.
He worked as a plumber until he signed his first professional contract in 2008 joining AmaZulu from Stella FC
Stella or STELLA may re ...
''(
AmaZulu
Zulu people (; zu, amaZulu) are a Nguni ethnic group native to Southern Africa. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, with an estimated 10–12 million people, living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Nata ...
)''
;8 goals
*
Elias Pelembe ''(
SuperSport United)''
*
Lucas Thwala
Lucas Bongane Thwala (born 19 October 1981 in Nelspruit) is a retired South African football defender who last played for SuperSport United in the Premier Soccer League
Premier is a title for the head of government in central governmen ...
''(
Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates Football Club (often known as "The Buccaneers") is a South African professional football club based in the Houghton suburb of the city of Johannesburg and plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as DStv ...
)''
*
Nkosinathi Nhleko
Nkosinathi Phiwayinkosi Thamsanqa Nhleko, popularly known as Nathi Nhleko, is a former South African Minister of Police. Nhleko served in parliament as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, chairperson of ...
''(
SuperSport United)''
;
PSL managers
Kits 2008–2009
Dec 2008/Jan 2009 Transfer Window
References
External links
Premier Soccer League (PSL) Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Premier Soccer League 2008-09
2008-09
2008–09 in African association football leagues
1