By Tolbert Joseph
Football is a popular sport in South Africa and has one of the best leagues in the African continent. Players get decent wages compared to other countries in the region who do with very little and sometimes without pay at all. This writer explores the richest football clubs in South Africa. Here the list and a brief about the clubs.
- MAMELODI SUNDOWNS ($11 million)
Nicknames: The Brazilians, Kabo yellow downs, Piano, Ba Shoeshine
Mamelodi Sundowns is the richest football club in South Africa. The team is based in Mamelodi, Tshwane in Gauteng province. The team features in the South African Premier league, The ABSA Premiership. Since the inception of the South African Premier League in early 1996, the “Brazilians” have won the title nine (9) times. In 2016, they were the champions of Central African Federation (CAF). They were also crowned as the CAF team of the year. The club has won the Nedbank cup four times. Furthermore, they hold a joint record of three national league championships. Mamelodi Sundowns is the first team from the Zululand to compete in the FIFA club world cup. They finished in the 1st position in the 2018-2019 campaign.
Founded
The South African club was founded in 1970
Current owner,
Patrice Motsepe
Current club manager
Pitso Mosimane
Club arenas
Lucas Moripe Stadium, Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria has the capacity to accommodate 51762 spectators.
Soccer kit/ uniform
The club’s attire is Blue and yellow. This primarily explains why they refer to themselves as the Brazilians.
For home matches, the club puts on yellow T-shirts and blue shorts while for away matches, they dress in white t-shirts and blue shorts.
The kit sponsor and manufacturers presently are PUMA SE, a deal that they won from Nike in 2016.
Squad
The 2019-2020 Squad is one of the best and widest that the club has had over the years. It constitutes of several players namely;
Denis Onyango (14), Goalkeeper, K Mweena (1), Goalkeeper, A Ngcobo (39), Goalkeeper, Thapelo Morena (27) Right Back, N Lukhubeni (32), Right back, Anele Ngcongca (16) Right Back, Mosa Lebusa (5), left back, T Langerman (4) left back, Rivaldo Coetzee (40) Centre back, Ricardo Nascimento (3) Centre back, Motjeka Madisha (2) Centre back, W Arendese (6), Centre back , B Soumahoro (29) Centre back, Andile Jali (15), Defensive midfielder, Sibusiso VilakaziGeorge Maluleka (11), Attacking midfielder, Tiyani Mabunda (13), Defensive midfielder, Hlompho Kekana (8) Defensive midfielder, Themba Zwane (18) left winger, Lebohang Maboe (33), Left winger, R Pieterse (30), Goalkeeper, Gaston Sirino (10) Centre forward, Lyle Lakay (7) left winger, Mauricio Affonso (9), Centre forward
Part of the lineup that featured against Wydad Casablanca football club.
Currently, the squad comprises 38 players, 9 are foreigners. Five of their players are in the national team Bafana Bafana.
National titles
The team has won several titles such as,
Premier soccer league, they won the 1997-1998 campaign, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2017-2018,2018-2019. On record, the Sundowns have won 12 record national titles.
The National Soccer league, The “Brazilians” have won 3 national soccer league titles. They won the 1988-1989, 1989-1990, and 1992-1993 campaigns.
Cup competitions
MTN 8, Mamelodi Sundowns have won 3 MTN out of the 8 cup competitions. They won in 1988, 1990, and 2007.
Nedbank cup, they have won 4 of this campaign. They featured and won in 1986, 1998, 2008, and 2014-2015
The Telkom knockout, the Sundowns have won 4 of this campaign. They won in 1990, 1999, 2015 and 2019.
In the African competitions of 2016, the Brazilians emerged champions. The same applies to the CAF Super cup in 2017
Mamelodi Sundowns have also won individual awards such as the African club of the year 2016, South African team of the year 2016, and PSL team of the season 2015-2016, 2013-2014
The Brazilians also featured in friendly competitions such as the Shell Helix cup in which they emerged champions in 2018
2020 player signings
On 20th June, 2020 – at around 08:00 Staff Reporter alleged that Mamelodi Sundowns were the biggest spenders in the league during the January transfer windows. They are reported to have brought in several new signings ahead of the 2020/21 season, one of which is valued at close to R15-million.
Sundowns remain in the running for a third straight Absa Premiership title as well as the 2020 Nedbank Cup, all of which could see them claim a domestic treble.
While this could well be a hugely successful season for The Brazilians, they have continued to fall short of the big prize, the CAF Champions League.
Currently, the Brazilians are the richest club in South African Premier League with approximately $11 million.
- KAIZER CHIEFS ($9.1 Million)
Nickname, Amakhosi, meaning Lords, Chiefs.
Kaizer Chiefs football club is a South African team based in Naturena, Johannesburg. The team plays in the South Afrcan Premier Soccer League.
It was founded by Kaizer Motaung on the 7th day of January 1970 in Soweto, South Africa. The Kaizer chiefs use the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The club also has the FNB Stadium to complement the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Founded
The Club was founded on 7th January 1970
Club founder,
Kaizer Motaung
Manager
Ernst Middendorp
Club arenas,
Moses Mabhida and FNB stadiums
League
ABSA Premiership
Soccer kit/ uniform
Nike won the deal to make Jerseys for the Chiefs, for home matches, the club puts on orange T-shirts while the blue T-shirts are worn on away games.
The Kaizers, Shortly before a match, Wikipedia photos
Titles
Championship, 50 years and still standing, the team has won four league titles so far, they won the 2003–2004, 2004–2005, 2012–2013, 2014–2015 campaigns. They have been Runners up in five occasions so far 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 2000-2001, and 2013-2014
National Soccer League, here, they have been Champions three times. 1989, 1991, 1992, 1996 (1996- Transitional season from the old calendar to the new calendar and formation of the Premier Soccer League)
NPSL Champions. They have won this five times, in 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984
Cup competitions
MTN 8 Champions. The Kaizers featured and won this title 15 times. Currently, they have the record for having won it more times compared to any other team. They won in 1974, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2001, 2006, 2008, and 2014
Telkom Knockout, they have been Champions 13 times and also hold record for having won it more times, in 1983,1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, and 2010
Nedbank Cup, Champions 13 times in 1971, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1992, 2000, 2006, 2012–13
International campaigns
African Cup Winners’ Cup, Kaisers won in 2001
African Club of the Year in 2001
Preseason Friendly Cup competitions
Vodacom Challenge, they have been Champions five times and hold record: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2009
Telkom Charity Cup, Champions on 11 campaigns and hold record: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2010
Carling Black Label Cup, Champions thrice, in 2013, 2016, and 2017
Cup Competitions
Sales House champ of champs, they were Winners 1984
Ohlsson’s Challenge Cup titles are 2. They were Winners in 1987 and 1989
They also won the Castle Challenge Cup twice, in 1990, and 1991, the Stylo Cup in 1970, and the UCT Super Team Competition in 1972.
Shell Helix Ultra Cup, they emerged winners of this cup in 2019
Currently, Kaizer Chiefs is the second richest club in South African Premier League with approximately $9.1 million.
- SUPER SPORT UNITED ($7.9 MILLION)
Nickname, Matsatsantsa, the Swanky boys, the trend stars.
Supersport united is the third richest football club in South Africa. The team is based in Atteridgeville, Pretoria in Gauteng province. The team is formally known as Pretoria city club. The team features in the South African Premier league, The ABSA Premiership. Among its supporters, the club is known as “Matsatsantsa”
Founded
The club was founded in 1994
Club owners
Supersport group of television channels.
Current club chairman
Khulu Sibiya
Current club manager
Kaitano Tembo
Club arenas,
Lucas Moripe stadium, capacity 28,900
Soccer kit/ uniform
The clubs attire is white and blue. For home matches, the club puts on white T-shirts and blue shorts while for away matches, they dress in gray.
The kit sponsor is Engen energy while the manufacturers presently are Umbro.
Titles / honors.
Domestic competitions.
Premier Soccer League, the team has won the ABSA Premiership three times. They were Winners in the 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010 campaigns.
Nedbank Cup, the club won this tonourment in 1999, 2005, 2011-12, 2015-16, and 2016-17. They have won if 5 times so far.
Telkom Knockout. They won it in 2014
MTN 8, they were Winners in 2004, 2017, 2019. They have won it three times so far
Sparletta Cup, they won this cup in 1995. They were also Second Division winners 1995.
Currently, Supersport United is the third richest club in South African Premier League with approximately $7.9 million.
- BIDVEST WITS FOOTBALL CLUB ($7.4 MILLION)
Nickname. The “Clever boys”.
Bidvest Wits is the fourth richest football club in South Africa. It’s a professional club as well as the oldest football club in the history of football in South Africa. The team is closely associated to the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. In the 2018-2019 season, they finished in the third position in the South African Premier league, ABSA.
Founded
The club was founded in 1921. The club was founded 100 years ago
Club board of Directors
Chairman, Allan Fainman, CEO, Jose Ferreira, General Manager, George Mogotsi.
Current club manager
Gavin Hunt
Club arenas,
Bidvest Stadium, 5,000
Soccer kit/ uniform
The clubs attire is white and blue. For home matches, the club puts on white T-shirts and blue shorts while for away matches, they dress purely in blue.
The kit sponsor is Bidvest while the manufacturers presently are Kappa
Titles / honors.
Domestic competitions,
Premier Soccer League. The club won the league In the 2016-17 campaign.
Nedbank Cup, they were Winners in 1978 and 2010. They have won it twice and still anticipating.
Telkom Knockout. They have scooped this title three times. They won in 1985, 1995, 2017
MTN 8, Bidvest has also claimed this title three times so far. They won it 1984, 1995, and 2016
National First Division. They were Winners: 2006
Currently, Bidvest football club is the fourth richest club in South African Premier League with approximately $7.4 million.
- ORLANDO PIRATES ($6.9 MILLION)
Nickname, Buccaneers, The Ghost, Happy people, Sea robbers
Orlando Pirates is the fifth richest football club in South Africa. It’s a professional club based in Houghton, Johannesburg. The team currently plays in the South African Premier League. Last season, in the 2018-2019, campaign, the pirates finished in the 2nd position.
Founded
The club was founded in 1937.
Club Chairman / Founder
Irvin Khoza
Current club manager
Josef Zinnbauer
Club arena,
Orlando stadium, with a maximum capacity of 37,139
Soccer kit/ uniform
The clubs attire is black and red. For home matches, the club puts black throughout while for away matches, they dress purely in red.
Titles / honors.
Domestic competitions. The club has won nine South African League titles so far.
Premier Soccer League. They have been four time winners of this tie. They won in 2000-01, 2002-03, 2010-11, and 2011-2012. They were also runners up six times. In 1999-2000,2004-05,2005-06,2008-09,2017-18,2018-19
National Soccer League. They won this campaign Winners in 1994. They have won it once
National Premier Soccer League, they have won this campaign four times. In 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1976
Nedbank Cup, Winners eight times. 1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2011, 2014
Telkom Knockout, the pirates have won it once, in 2011
MTN 8. Orlando pirates club has won this tie nine times. They were winners in 1972, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2010, and 2011
International competitions
CAF Champions League Winners once, in 1995
CAF Super Cup Winners once, in 1996
Carling Black Label Cup, they have so far won this cup five times, in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2019
They also won the PSL Reserve in 2007
Vodacom Challenge. They won this title in 1999 and 2005
Currently, Orlando Pirates football club is the fifth richest club in South African Premier League with approximately $6.9 million
- PLATNUM STARS, ($6.1 MILLION)
Nickname. The Tswana, literally meaning Crocodile
Platinum stars were the sixth richest football club in South Africa before being dissolved. The team was based in Phokeng in the North West province. The team played in the South African Premier League. Unfortunately the club was dissolved in 2018.
Founded
The club was founded in 1998 and dissolved in 2018.
Former club manager
Calvin Johnson
Club arena,
Royal Bafokeng stadium, with a 44,530 capacity.
Titles / honors.
Telkom Knockout, the platinum stars won it twice, in 2006 and 2013.
MTN 8. The Platinum stars won this tie once in 2013
Before being dissolved, the Platinum stars football club was the sixth richest club in South African Premier League with approximately $6.1 million
- MPUMALANGA BLACK ACES, ($5.8 MILLION)
Nickname Amazoyoni
Mpumalanga black Aces is the seventh richest football club in South Africa. It played from the Mpumalanga pronvince in Johannesburg.
Founded
The club was founded in 1937.
Dissolved
The club was dissolved in 2016
Club manager
Muhsin Ertugral
Club arenas,
Atlantic stadium, eMalahleni. The arena has a capacity of 40,929.
Soccer kit/ uniform
The clubs attire is blue and white. For home matches, the club puts on blue while for away matches, they dress in white
The kit sponsor is ISPS while the manufacturer is Canterbury
Titles / honors.
The Black Aces have not won many titles as compared to the rest of the clubs. They won the Bob save super Bowl in 1993, the BP Top eight cup in 1980, the PSL promotion play off in the 2008-2009 and 2012-2013 campaigns, Mpumalanga black Aces football club is the seventh richest club in South African Premier League with approximately $5.8 million.
- BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC, ($5.1MILLION)
Nickname Phunya, Sele Sele, Siwelele
Bloemfontein Celtic is the eighth richest football club in South Africa. It’s a professional club that plays in the South African premier Soccer league. The team has one of the largest fan bases in the Free State. Most of the supporters are referred to as Siwelele.
Founded
The club was founded in 1969
Chairman
Max Tshabalala
Current club coach
Lehlohonolo Seema
Club arenas,
Dr Petrus Molemela stadium, Toyota stadium
Soccer kit/ uniform
The clubs attire is green and black. For home matches, the club puts on green T-shirts and white shorts while for away matches, they dress in black T-shirts and green shorts.
The kit is manufactured by Umbro
Titles / honors.
The club won the Mainstay cup in 1985, the SAA Sup 8 cup in 2005, the Telkom charity cup in 2007, won the First division inland stream in the 2003-2004 campaign, they also won the Charity Showdown in 2014.
Currently, Bloemfontein Celtic football club is the eighth richest club in South African Premier League with approximately $5.1 million.
- CHIPPA UNITED, ($4.4 MILLION)
Nickname Chilli boys
Chippa united is the ninth richest football club in South Africa. It’s a professional club that plays in the South African premier Soccer league division. The team is based in Port Elizabeth in the Nyanga Suburb of Cape Town
Founded
The club was founded in January 2010
Chairman
Siviwe Mpengesi
Current club coach
Glen Minnie
Club arenas,
Nelson Mandela bay stadium in Cape Town, Buffalo city stadium, in Eastern Cape
Soccer kit/ uniform
Chippa united has three different attires. They have white, blue and striped. For home matches, the club puts on white T-shirts and white shorts while for away matches, they dress in blue T-shirts and blue shorts. The third attire is an optional wear.
The kit is currently manufactured by Umbro and sponsored by the nelson Mandela bay.
Titles / honors.
The club won the NFD Championships in the 2013-2014 campaign, the PSL Promotion playoffs in 2011-2012, the second division national playoffs in the 2010-2011. In 2010-2011 still, they featured in the second division Western Cape stream and emerged champions.
Currently, Bloemfontein Celtic football club is the eighth richest club in South African Premier League with approximately $4.4 million.
- AJAX CAPEN TWON ($4.2 MILLION)
Nickname. The urban warriors
Ajax Cape town is the tenth richest football club in South Africa. The team is based in Parrow, Cape Town. The team features in the National first division and Dutch Eredivisie is their fountain club and majority share holder. Last season, Ajax was the 4th in the National first division.
Founded
The club was founded in 1999
Club owners
Dutch Eredivisie
Current club chairman
Ari Efstathiou
Current club manager
Andries Ulderink
Club arenas,
Cape Town stadium
Soccer kit/ uniform
Home attire, while playing at home, the club puts on a red T-shirt and white shorts and while away, they dress in black t-shirts and black shorts.
The kit sponsor is Huawei while the manufacturers are Adidas
Titles / honors.
Ajax Cape Town won the MTN8 Competitions in 2015. They also won the Rothmans cup in 2000. In 2008, they emerged champions in the Telkom knockout. They also won the ABSA cup in 2007
Currently, Ajax Cape Town is the tenth richest club in South Africa approximately $4.2 million.
