There’s been so much to talk about so far in this year’s Premiership, and as the season draws to a close on yet another enthralling campaign, we’ve flicked back through the archives to pick out some of the best moments.
It’s a season in which more football fans have sought direction from the betting markets. Like other seasons, the betting platforms have seen a surge in the number of people placing bets on the outcome of individual games within the SA Premiership and the outright markets.
Mobile betting in casinos laid the groundwork for the rise of in-play betting, with operators like playcasino.co.za channelling into this rise of betting on the move, by showcasing only the best offers for players, such as the top online casinos with free spins and no depostis. Although the two betting markets have their differences, this is a characteristic they share. So, without further ado, let’s look at some of the best moments of the South African Premiership this season and how they have come to shape the nail-biting results.
Mduduzi Shabalala’s goal of the month
The January Premiership Goal of the Month was a magnificent solo effort by Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala. His solo run and strike against Chippa United with a couple of days left in 2024 in Durban was one of the season’s best goals so far. It was made all the sweeter because Mduduzi is one of the top South African players looking to break into the national team.
Ever since the recent glory days of SA football, including icons of Leeds United history such as Lucas Radebe, goal machine Benni McCarthy and the magical talent of Steven Pienaar, there’s been a yearning for South African players to break into the top leagues. If Shabalala’s form and incredible goal back in December are anything to go by, he could be the figurehead for the next generation of attacking SA talent. If he can iron out some of his inconsistencies, he could easily be part of the next generation of Bafana Bafana icons.
Ribeiro’s solo wondergoal
As arguably the best international player in the SA Premiership, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has scooped up several Player of the Month awards this season. However, his goal against the Orlando Pirates in February was arguably his crowning moment.
He’s been instrumental in Mamelodi Sundowns’ charge to the Premiership title this year, and this award followed on from the January Goal of the Month award. This golden period of his season was the real high point for Ribeiro, and it cemented his position as the most in-form player in the league. However, even from a neutral fan perspective, he’s a magical player to watch – he gets us on the edge of our seats, and his wondergoal from February perfectly encapsulated this.
The Sundowns are a finely tuned machine – with the magic of Ronwen Williams between the sticks and the remarkable skillset of Ribeiro up front, you’d think they’d be favourites to win the title again next season, as long as they can keep hold of their star assets.
Magesi’s strong end to the season
While Magesi have not had a season to remember, the last few weeks of their season will have renewed their hope for next season. They have dominated the PSL awards. Their goalkeeper conceded zero goals in the league throughout March and took the Player of the Month award. Azola Ntsabo’s sensational free-kick against Polokwane City was rightly voted Goal of the Month.
Their coach received the Coach of the Year award to top off this impressive hat-trick. Magesi did not have much to shout about until March, and while their form has taken a dip slightly, if they can bottle this magic from March, they could have a season to remember.
The Mamelodi Sundowns are the team to beat. They’ve stormed the title this year, and if they can keep their best players in the fold, they will go into next season as firm favourites. Still, anything can happen in the SA Premiership, and this is part of the excitement that has seen the league’s popularity surge in SA and further across the continent.
Final thoughts
Unlike many of the top European leagues, which have been inundated with money and overpaid players, the SA Premiership has kept the essence of what the domestic game is all about. The teams and players have a strong connection to the communities they represent, and the lack of big money in the league is a great foundation for keeping the league both fair and exciting.
As you can see by the moments we have picked out today, teams can go from having an immense few months, dominating the PSL, and then fading back into obscurity. While Mamelodi might have been streets ahead of the competition this year, and it could easily be the same outcome next season, the league’s unpredictability lays the foundation for the best moments.
Next season, several of these players will continue striving towards new achievements, providing us with magical solo and team efforts that will keep us tuned in to the season’s peaks and troughs.
