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Fri 25 September 2020 | 16:30

South African Premier Division Top Scorers of All Time!

South Africa is one of the lesser known professional football leagues in the world, despite its great potential. In this article, we are going to introduce the South African Premier Division top scorers of all time!

South Africa (now known as the Absa Premiership because of its sponsor name) is the highest level in South Africa's professional football league system.

As the division is the top level of association football in South Africa, it is often referred to as the PSL– the name of the league's administrator.

This league has a short history and has started its competitions with this structure since 1996. However, during this short period, it has introduced some great players to African football, some of whom have the ability to play in world-class clubs.

In this article, after a brief review on the South African Premier Division history, we will first provide a list of the

highest goal scorers in South African premier division/PSL of all time

and then briefly introduce each one.

South African Premier Division top scorers of all time!

First of all, we will have a brief review on the South African Premier Division history!

South African Premier Division History

In the late 19th century, football was first introduced to South Africa by British troops. Because football has its roots in England, it was especially popular among British soldiers who arrived in South Africa.

From the very beginning of football in South Africa until apartheid, the organized form of the game was influenced by racism. The formation of the all-white Football Association of South Africa (FASA) in 1892 and the South African Colored Football Association (SACFA) in 1936 were the result of this culture.

South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan established the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 1956. It turned out that South African law prohibited mixed race teams from competing in sports, so they could only send one all-black team or one all-white team to the 1957 African Cup of Nations. That's why South Africa dropped out of the competition that year.

With the beginning of 1991 and the abolition of the apartheid system, a non-racial association was formed in South Africa, which was also accepted by FIFA. Since the unification of the country, the most advanced professional football structure in South Africa, the Premier Soccer League, has been established.

South African Premier Division was founded in 1996 following an agreement between the National Soccer League (South Africa) and what remained of the National Professional Soccer League (South Africa).

Manning Rangers were the first team to win the title of PSL Champion in 1997, which was astonishing to many other fancy participating teams.

The

Mamelodi Sundowns

won three championships title in a row from 1998 to 2000.

In 2000/2001 season, Ria Stars and Free State Stars were excluded due to the policy of reducing the number of league teams. Thus the total number of teams was changed from 18 to 16.

PSL has helped raise the level of South African football through strong sponsorship deals with reputable brands such as Nedbank, Telecom and Absa, and suppliers such as Kessel, Coca-Cola and Vodacom. Improved revenue as well as better media coverage has made South African football more popular.

In the next section, we will present a list of

South African Premier Division/PSL top goal scorers ever

.

Top Scorers in South African Premier Division/PSL of All Time

The list of South African Premier Division/PSL highest goal scorers of all time is as follows:

  • Daniel Mudau, Appearances: 388, Goals: 162

  • Siyabonga Nomvete, Appearances: 459, Goals: 154

  • Manuel Bucuane, Appearances: 387, Goals: 139

  • Collins Mbesuma, Appearances: 286, Goals: 109

  • Mabhuti Khenyeza: Appearances: 287, Goals: 94

  • Siphiwe Tshabalala: Appearances: 316, Goals: 72

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Brief Biography, Characteristics and Honors of South African Premier Division top scorers of all time

In the following, we will have a brief overview on biography, characteristics and honors of

all-time top goal scorers in South African Premier Division/PSL history

.

#1 on the list of South African Premier Division top scorers of all time: Daniel Mudau

Personal information

  • Full name: Daniel Mbulaheni Mudau

  • Date of birth: 4 September 1968 (age 52)

  • Place of birth: Mamelodi, South Africa

  • Playing position(s): Striker

Senior career

  • 1991: Team: Ratanang Maholosiane, Appearances: 37, Goals: 7

  • 1992–2003: Team: Mamelodi Sundowns, Appearances: 351, Goals: 155

  • Total:  Appearances:388 , Goals: 162

National team

  • 1993–1999: Team: South Africa, Appearances: 16, Goals: 3

The top player on the list of

highest goal scorers in South African Premier Division/PSL of all time

is Daniel Mudau, a former South African footballer who played as a striker during his career. He has a history of playing at both professional and international levels.

Mudau started his professional football career with the Ratanang Maholosiane and Mamelodi Sundowns clubs. He also scored three goals in 16 appearances for the South African national team between 1993 and 1999. He is also the all-time leading scorer in Mamelodi Sundowns.

His other honors include winning the 1996 African Cup of Nations with the South African national team.

The next player on the list of

top scorers in South African Premier Division/PSL of all time

is Siyabonga Nomvete.

#2 on the list of South African Premier Division top scorers of all time: Siyabonga Nomvete

Personal information

  • Full name: Siyabonga Eugene Nomvethe

  • Date of birth: 2 December 1977 (age 42)

  • Place of birth: Durban, South Africa

  • Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)

  • Playing position(s): Forward

Youth career

  • Sabatha FC

  • Durban Cosmos

  • 1994–1997: Claremont Blizzards

Senior career

  • 1997–1998: Team: African Wanderers, Appearances: 28, Goals: 11

  • 1998–2001: Team: Kaizer Chiefs, Appearances: 79, Goals: 42

  • 2001–2005: Team: Udinese, Appearances: 19, Goals: 0

  • 2004: Team: → Salernitana (loan), Appearances: 17, Goals: 2

  • 2004–2005: Team: → Empoli (loan), Appearances: 10, Goals: 0

  • 2005: Team: → Djurgården (loan), Appearances: 5, Goals: 1

  • 2006: Team: Orlando Pirates, Appearances: 14, Goals: 4

  • 2006–2009: Team: AaB, Appearances: 68, Goals: 13

  • 2016–2019: Team: AmaZulu, Appearances: 70, Goals: 28

  • 2020: Team: Uthongathi, Appearances: 4, Goals: 0

  • Total: Appearances: 459, Goals: 154

2009–2016: Team:

Moroka Swallows

, Appearances: 149, Goals: 53

National team

  • 1999–2012: Team: South Africa, Appearances: 81, Goals: 16

The next player on the list of

South African Premier Division/PSL highest goal scorers of all time

is Siyabonga Eugene Nomvethe, a former South African footballer who specializes in attacking.

Nomvethe has played in several European leagues, including the Italian Serie A. Overall he is one of the most prestigious footballers in the history of South African football, both domestically and internationally.

His honor list is as follows:

Djurgårdens IF

  • Allsvenskan: 2005

AaB
  • Danish Superliga: 2007–08

Moroka Swallows
  • Nedbank Cup: 2009

  • MTN 8: 2012

Individual

  • PSL Footballer of the Year: 2011–12

  • PSL Player of the Season: 2011–12

  • PSL Players' Player of the Season: 2011–12

  • Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot: 2011–12 (20 goals)

The next player on the list of

South African Premier Division/PSL top goal scorers ever

is Manuel Bucuane.

#3 on the list of South African Premier Division top scorers of all time: Manuel Bucuane

Personal information

  • Full name: Manuel José Luís Bucuane

  • Date of birth: August 16, 1973 (age 47)

  • Place of birth: Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique

  • Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)

  • Playing position(s): Striker

Club information

  • Current team: Desportivo de Maputo

Senior career

  • 1992–1994: Team: Desportivo de Maputo, Appearances: 63, Goals: 35

  • 1994–1997: Team: Estrela da Amadora, Appearances: 28, Goals: 11

  • 1997–2000: Team: Jomo Cosmos, Appearances: 91, Goals: 44

  • 2000: Team: Tampa Bay Mutiny, Appearances: 18, Goals: 4

  • 2000–2004: Team: Jomo Cosmos, Appearances: 104, Goals: 32

  • 2004–2006: Team: Supersport United, Appearances: 40, Goals: 8

  • 2006–2008: Team: Orlando Pirates, Appearances: 21, Goals: 4

  • 2008: Team: Maritzburg United, Appearances: 8, Goals: 0

  • 2008–2010: Team: Jomo Cosmos, Appearances: 14, Goals: 1

  • 2010–2011: Team: Desportivo de Maputo            

  • Total: Appearances: 387, Goals: 139

National team

  • 1995–2010: Team: Mozambique, Appearances: 83, Goals: 27

The next player on the list of

all-time top goal scorers in PSL history

is Manuel José Luís Bucuane, better known as Tico Tico, a former Mozambican footballer who played as a striker during his career.

His last appearance was with Mozambique's Desportivo de Maputo. Tico Tico is his country's busiest player and Mozambique's record scorer. He has played for various teams in the South African Football Premier League for a long time and is on the league's list of all-time top goal scorers in South African Premier Division.

This popular football player has many charitable non-soccer activities and has participated in many charitable competitions with his country's national shirt and the national and international awards he has won.

The next player on the list of

highest goal scorers in South African Premier Division/PSL of all time

is Collins Mbesuma.

#4 on the list of South African Premier Division top scorers of all time: Collins Mbesuma

Personal information

  • Full name: Collins Mbesuma

  • Date of birth: 3 February 1984 (age 36)

  • Place of birth: Luanshya, Zambia

  • Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)

  • Playing position(s): Striker

Club information

  • Current team: University of Pretoria

Youth career

  • 2001–2002: Wild Antelopes

Senior career

  • 2003–2004: Team: Roan United, Appearances: 25, Goals: 11

  • 2004–2005: Team: Kaizer Chiefs, Appearances: 33, Goals: 27

  • 2005–2007: Team: Portsmouth, Appearances: 4, Goals: 0

  • 2006–2007: Team: → Maritimo (loan), Appearances: 23, Goals: 7

  • 2007–2008: Team: Bursaspor, Appearances: 6, Goals: 0

  • 2008–2009: Team: Mamelodi Sundowns, Appearances: 16, Goals: 4

  • 2009–2010: Team: Moroka Swallows, Appearances: 14, Goals: 2

  • 2010–2012: Team: Golden Arrows, Appearances: 43, Goals: 18

  • 2012–2014: Team: Orlando Pirates, Appearances: 13, Goals: 4

  • 2014–2016: Team: Mpumalanga Black Aces, Appearances:  58, Goals: 20

  • 2016–2018: Team: Highlands Park, Appearances: 15, Goals: 4

  • 2018–2019: Team: Maccabi FC, Appearances: 28, Goals: 10

  • 2019–: Team: University of Pretoria, Appearances: 8, Goals: 2

National team

  • 2003–: Team: Zambia, Appearances: 64, Goals: 22

The next player on the list of

top scorers in South African Premier Division/PSL of all time

is Collins Mbesuma, a Zambian professional footballer who currently plays as a striker in the South African Premier League at University of Pretoria FC.

His nickname is Storm or Ntofontofo. Collins Mbesuma is a high-profile player who has played in or is on the verge of joining the leagues of various countries, including the South African Premier Division, the French Ligue 1 and the Portuguese Premier League.

His honor list is as follows:

Club

  • Premier Soccer League: 2004–05

  • Coca-Cola Cup: 2004–05

  • Macufe Cup: 2005

CS Marítimo
  • AF Madeira Cup: 2006–07

Mamelodi Sundowns

  • Nedbank Cup: 2007–08

Moroka Swallows

  • Nedbank Cup: 2008–09

International

Zambia

  • Africa Cup of Nations: 2012

Individual

  • PSL Player of the Season: 2005

  • Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot: 2005, 2016

The next player on the list of

South African Premier Division/PSL highest goal scorers ever

is Mabhuti Khenyeza.

#5 on the list of South African Premier Division top scorers of all time: Mabhuti Khenyeza

Personal information

  • Full name: Elliot Mabhuti Khanyeza

  • Date of birth: 17 June 1982 (age 38)

  • Place of birth: Howick, South Africa

  • Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)

  • Playing position(s): Striker

Club information

  • Current team: AmaZulu F.C.

  • Number: 02

Senior career

  • 2001–2002: Team: Maritzburg City, Appearances: 12, Goals: 2

  • 2002–2007: Team: Golden Arrows, Appearances: 114, Goals: 43

  • 2007–2008: Team: Kaizer Chiefs, Appearances: 26, Goals: 8

  • 2008–2009: Team: Ajax Cape Town, Appearances: 24, Goals: 16

  • 2009–2012: Team: Mamelodi Sundowns, Appearances: 56, Goals: 10

  • 2012: Team: Supersport United, Appearances: 15, Goals: 3

  • 2013: Team: Ajax Cape Town, Appearances: 12, Goals: 7

  • 2013–2015: Team: Mpumalanga Black Aces, Appearances: 23, Goals: 4

  • 2015–2018: Team: Golden Arrows, Appearances: 5, Goals: 1

National team

  • 2003–2009: Team: South Africa, Appearances: 10, Goals: 0

The next player on the list of

South African Premier Division/PSL top goal scorers ever

is Elliot Mabhuti Khanyeza, a retired South African footballer who played as a striker during his career.

One of the most memorable moments in the Khanyeza 's career was when he scored the amazing goal against his team's main rival Orlando Pirates in November 2007, just nineteen seconds after the start of the game, to make his fans happy.

He has played for Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport United.

And finally, the last player on the list of

all-time top goal scorers in South African Premier Division/PSL history

is Siphiwe Tshabalala.

#6 on the list of South African Premier Division top scorers of all time: Siphiwe Tshabalala

Personal information

  • Full name: Lawrence Siphiwe Dambuza Tshabalala

  • Date of birth: 25 September 1984 (age 35)

  • Place of birth: Soweto, South Africa

  • Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)

  • Playing position(s): Winger, Attacking midfielder

Youth career

  • 1991–1994: Phiri Arsenal

  • 1994–1997: Phiri Movers

  • 1997–2002: Kaizer Chiefs

  • 2002–2003: Moroka Swallows

Senior career

  • 2003–2004: Team: Alexandra United, Appearances: 26, Goals: 7

  • 2004–2007: Team: Free State Stars, Appearances: 64, Goals: 31

  • 2007–2018: Team: Kaizer Chiefs, Appearances: 209, Goals: 34

  • 2018–2019: Team: BB Erzurumspor, Appearances: 17, Goals: 0

National team

  • 2006–: Team: South Africa, Appearances: 90, Goals: 12

The last player on the list of

South African Premier Division top scorers of all time

is Lawrence Siphiwe Dambuza Tshabalala, a South African professional footballer who currently plays for the South African national football team. His professional position is midfielder.

Tshabalala is one of the most famous and well-known football players in South Africa. He was the first player to be called up to his country's national team while still playing in the national first division, while also making his national debut.

Having played in 90 national games, he is the second best player on the South African national team and has played in three African Cups and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He has won several honors, including:

Club

Free State Stars

  • Baymed Cup: 2006

Kaizer Chiefs

  • MTN 8: 2008

  • Vodacom Challenge: 2009

  • Telkom Charity Cup: 2010

  • Telkom Knockout: 2007, 2010, 2011

  • Absa Premiership: 2012–2013, 2014–2015

  • Nedbank Cup: 2013

Individual

  • SAFA Awards SAFA Footballer of the Year: 2010

In this article, we introduced

South African Premier Division top scorers of all time

.

Although the South African Football Premier Division is very young and it has not been long since the formation of this league, but in this short period of time, it has introduced capable and proud players to African football, and some of these players have succeeded in prestigious leagues such as Serie A of Italy and Ligue 1 of France.

Given the talent of South Africa's youth football, we are confident that this league has a bright future ahead and will continue to work with more proud and successful players in the years to come.

 


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