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

Promotion and relegation

Pre-Season

Teams promoted from 2007–08 National First Division
Teams relegated to 2008–09 National First Division

Post-Season

Teams promoted from 2008 to 2009 National First Division
Teams relegated to 2009–10 National First Division

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.
AwardWinnerClubPrize money
Premier League ChampionsSupersport United-R10 000 000
Footballer of the SeasonTeko ModiseOrlando PiratesR 250 000
Premiership Player of the SeasonLucas ThwalaOrlando PiratesR 150 000
Players' Player of the SeasonTeko ModiseOrlando PiratesR 150 000
Young Player of the SeasonBongani KhumaloSupersport UnitedR 50 000
Goalkeeper of the SeasonKennedy MweeneFree State StarsR 50 000
Top Goal Scorer of the SeasonRichard HenyekaneGolden ArrowsR75 000
Goal of the SeasonRyan BothaMoroka SwallowsR 50 000
Chairman's AwardAndre Arendse &
John Maduka		Supersport United &
Bloemfontein Celtic		Share
R 100 000
Coach of the SeasonGavin HuntSupersport UnitedR75 000
Referee of the SeasonJerome Damon-R 50 000
MTN8 Player of the TournamentGert SchalkwykKaizer ChiefsR 150 000
Nedbank Cup Player of the TournamentMthokozisi YendePretoria UniversityR 100 000
Telkom Knockout Player of the TournamentFranklin CaleAjax Cape TownR 200 000

Statistics

Top goalscorers

As of May 23, 2009
;19 goals
;16 goals
;10 goals
;9 goals
;8 goals

Dec 2008/Jan 2009 Transfer Window

NameLast registrationTo club
Tsweu MokoroMoroka SwallowsAjax Cape Town
Tawfeeq SalieAjax Cape TownAjax Cape Town
Stanton LewisUnspecifiedAjax Cape Town
Thamsanqa SangweniUnspecifiedAmaZulu
Bradley RitsonAmaZuluAmaZulu
Jean NjohUnspecifiedBay United
Nhlanhla VilakaziGolden ArrowsBay United
Bulelani MatrossHanover ParkBay United
Samuel RamosoeuBidboysBidvest Wits
Tebogo LangermanBidboysBidvest Wits
Calvin KadiSupersport UnitedBidvest Wits

Attendances

Source:
No.ClubAverage
1Kaizer Chiefs18,935
2Bloemfontein Celtic15,969
3Orlando Pirates15,869
4Bay United7,869
5Ajax Cape Town7,229
6Mamelodi Sundowns7,695
7AmaZulu5,835
8Free State Stars5,462
9Engen Santos5,015
10Maritzburg United4,969
11SuperSport United4,902
12Lamontville Golden Arrows4,635
13Moroka Swallows4,582
14Thanda Royal Zulu4,302
15Bidvest Wits3,015
16Platinum Stars2,981