2011–12 Premier Soccer League

South Africa's 2011–12 Premier Soccer League season (known as the ABSA Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the sixteenth since its establishment. Orlando Pirates were the defending champions, having won their third PSL title, and in the process ended SuperSport United's 3 year grip on the championship. The season kicked off on 12 August 2011 and ended on 19 May 2012.[13][14]

Premier Soccer League
Season2011–12
ChampionsOrlando Pirates
4th PSL title
Champions LeagueOrlando Pirates
Confederation CupSupersport United (via domestic cup)
Matches played240
Goals scored582 (2.43 per match)
Top goalscorerSiyabonga Nomvethe (20 goals)
Biggest home winSuperSport United 7–0 Maritzburg United
(14 October 2011)[1]
Biggest away winBlack Leopards 2–5 Moroka Swallows
(4 May 2012)[2]
Black Leopards 1–4 Amazulu
(22 April 2012)[3]
Ajax Cape Town 0–3 Mamelodi Sundowns
(17 March 2012)[4]
Santos 2–5 Mamelodi Sundowns
(30 November 2011)[5]
Golden Arrows 0–3 Bloemfontein Celtic
(13 August 2011)[6]
Highest scoringBlack Leopards 2–5 Moroka Swallows
(4 May 2012)[7]
Platinum Stars 3–4 Orlando Pirates
(22 February 2012)[8]
Ajax Cape Town 4–3 Black Leopards
(21 December 2011)[9]
Santos 2–5 Mamelodi Sundowns
(30 November 2011)[10] SuperSport United 7–0 Maritzburg United
(14 October 2011)[11]
Longest winning run3 wins
Kaizer Chiefs
Mamelodi Sundowns
SuperSport United
Longest unbeaten run4 games
Mamelodi Sundowns
SuperSport United
Maritzburg United
Longest losing run4 games
Santos
Average attendance7,120 [12]

16 teams contested the season, including two newly promoted teams – yo-yo club Jomo Cosmos[15] – who were promoted for the second time in 3 seasons after winning the 2010–11 National First Division champions' playoff 5–4 on penalties against Bay United, and Black Leopards[16] who came through a four-way promotion playoff, defeating Bay United 2–0 over a two-legged final. Orlando Pirates secured the title with a 4–2 win against Golden Arrows on 19 May 2012.[17] This was their fourth PSL title overall and the second in succession. At the bottom, Jomo Cosmos was automatically relegated to the First Division[18] while Santos was relegated via the PSL Playoff Tournament.[19][20][21]

TV rights

The PSL announced that current digital broadcaster SuperSport had won the rights to continue broadcasting the PSL after their current contract expired at the end of the 2011–12 season. The new broadcasting deal will commence at the start of the 2012–13 season and is said to be worth R2 billion over five years. As with their outgoing contract, SuperSport will continue to lease a select number of matches to free-to-air public broadcaster SABC.[22]

Teams

The team finishing 16th and last during the 2010–11 PSL season – Mpumalanga Black Aces – was automatically relegated from the PSL while the team finishing 15th – Vasco da Gama – was entered into a four-way relegation/promotion playoff with 3 teams from the 2010–11 National First Division season, where they were comfortably beaten 4–2 on aggregate by Black Leopards in the semi-finals and thus relegated from the PSL. As it was, both Black Aces and Vasco had been promoted in the previous season, so they each spent a single season in the top flight before going straight back down.

Jomo Cosmos and Black Leopards had finished first and second in the Inland Stream of the 2010–11 National First Division season. Cosmos, as champions of the Inland Stream, faced off against the champions of the Coastal Stream – Bay United – and beat them 5–4 on penalties after two goalless draws, thus securing promotion to the PSL. In the next phase of the relegation/promotion playoffs Black Leopards had taken on and defeated Vasco da Gama of the PSL over two legs and proceeded to reach the final of the playoffs, where they met Bay United. Leopards continued Bay United's heartbreaking end to their season by defeating them over two legs to earn a return to the PSL after two seasons out of the top flight.

Stadiums and locations

Football teams in South Africa tend to use multiple stadiums over the course of a season for their home games. The following table will only indicate the stadium used most often by the club for their home games

Team Location of training field Province Home venue Capacity
Ajax Cape Town Cape Town (Parow) Western Cape Cape Town Stadium 55,000
AmaZulu Durban (Durban North) Kwazulu-Natal Moses Mabhida Stadium 54,000
Bidvest Wits Johannesburg (Braamfontein) Gauteng Bidvest Stadium 5,000
Black Leopards Polokwane Limpopo Peter Mokaba Stadium 45,000
Bloemfontein Celtic Bloemfontein Free State Seisa Ramabodu Stadium 20,000
Free State Stars Phuthaditjhaba Free State Charles Mopeli Stadium 35,000
Golden Arrows Umlazi Kwazulu-Natal King Zwelithini Stadium 10,000
Jomo Cosmos Johannesburg Gauteng Makhulong Stadium 15,000
Kaizer Chiefs Johannesburg (Soweto) Gauteng FNB Stadium (Soccer City) 94,700
Mamelodi Sundowns Pretoria (Arcadia) Gauteng Loftus Versfeld Stadium 52,000
Maritzburg United Pietermaritzburg Kwazulu-Natal Harry Gwala Stadium 10,700
Moroka Swallows Johannesburg (Soweto) Gauteng Dobsonville Stadium 24,000
Orlando Pirates Johannesburg (Soweto) Gauteng Orlando Stadium 36,400
Platinum Stars Rustenburg (Phokeng) North West Royal Bafokeng Stadium 45,000
Santos Cape Town (Lansdowne) Western Cape Athlone Stadium 25,000
Supersport United Pretoria (Atteridgeville) Gauteng Lucas Moripe Stadium 28,900
Location of teams in the 2011–12 PSL.

Personnel and kits
Team Manager Supplier Shirt sponsor
Ajax Cape Town Netherlands Maarten Stekelenburg Adidas MTN
AmaZulu Sweden Roger Palmgren Adidas SPAR
Bidvest Wits South Africa Roger De Sa Nike Bidvest
Black Leopards Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa Umbro MTN
Bloemfontein Celtic South Africa Clinton Larsen Reebok MTN
Free State Stars South Africa Steve Komphela Umbro Bonitas
Golden Arrows Germany Ernst Middendorp Millé MTN
Jomo Cosmos South Africa Jomo Sono Puma
Kaizer Chiefs Serbia Vladimir Vermezović Nike Vodacom
Mamelodi Sundowns Netherlands Johan Neeskens Nike Ubuntu Botho
Maritzburg United South Africa Ian Palmer Hummel
Moroka Swallows South Africa Gordon Igesund Puma VW
Orlando Pirates Brazil Júlio César Leal Adidas Vodacom
Platinum Stars South Africa Owen Da Gama Puma Royal Bafokeng
Santos South Africa Boebie Solomons Winner Engen
Supersport United South Africa Gavin Hunt Under Armour DStv

Managerial changes
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Ajax CT Netherlands Foppe de Haan Retirement 21 May 2011[23] End of season Netherlands Maarten Stekelenburg 21 June 2011[24]
Orlando Pirates Netherlands Ruud Krol End of contract June 2011[25] End of season Brazil Júlio César Leal 22 June 2011[26]
Amazulu South Africa Manqoba Mngqithi Sacked 18 September 2011[27] 15th Sweden Roger Palmgren 18 September 2011[28]
Black Leopards Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa Redeployed 26 October 2011[29] Serbia Vladislav Heric 26 October 2011[30]
Santos South Africa Boebie Solomons Redeployed 8 December 2011[31] 14th South Africa Duncan Crowie 8 December 2011[32]
Platinum Stars South Africa Owen Da Gama Suspended 9 March 2012[33] 13th South Africa Cavin Johnson & South Africa Allan Freese 9 March 2012
Orlando Pirates Brazil Júlio César Leal Sacked 12 March 2012[34] Peru Augusto Palacios 12 March 2012[35]
Kaizer Chiefs Serbia Vladimir Vermezovic Sacked 12 April 2012[36] South Africa Ace Khuse 12 March 2012
Santos South Africa Duncan Crowie Caretaker period ended 19 April 2012[37] 15th Netherlands Mart Nooij 19 April 2012[38]
Black Leopards Serbia Vladislav Heric Redeployed 8 May 2012[39] 14th Zimbabwe Sunday Chidzambwa 8 May 2012

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Orlando Pirates (C, Q) 30 17 7 6 39 26 +13 58 Qualification for 2013 CAF Champions League
2 Moroka Swallows 30 15 11 4 48 34 +14 56
3 SuperSport United 30 15 9 6 39 23 +16 54 Qualification for 2013 CAF Confederation Cup
4 Mamelodi Sundowns 30 14 10 6 44 23 +21 52
5 Kaizer Chiefs 30 14 8 8 35 23 +12 50
6 Free State Stars 30 14 6 10 38 31 +7 48
7 AmaZulu 30 10 11 9 32 24 +8 41
8 Bloemfontein Celtic 30 11 8 11 36 33 +3 41
9 Ajax Cape Town 30 11 7 12 42 49 −7 40
10 Platinum Stars 30 10 6 14 37 39 −2 36
11 Maritzburg United 30 7 13 10 26 38 −12 34
12 Bidvest Wits 30 7 12 11 31 38 −7 33
13 Golden Arrows 30 9 5 16 40 48 −8 32
14 Black Leopards 30 7 8 15 36 58 −22 29
15 Santos (R) 30 7 6 17 34 48 −14 27 PSL Playoff Tournament
16 Jomo Cosmos (R) 30 2 13 15 24 46 −22 19 Relegation to National First Division
Updated to match(es) played on 19 May 2012. Source: Standings
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated

Results
Home \ Away AJX AMZ BVW BLP BLC FSS GOL JC KZC MLS MAR MOR ORL PLA SAN SUP
Ajax Cape Town 2–4 0–2 4–3 2–0 3–1 4–1 1–1 2–1 0–3 1–1 2–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 0–0
AmaZulu 4–0 2–0 0–1 2–0 0–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–1 1–2 2–2 1–2
Bidvest Wits 1–1 3–1 0–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–1 1–1 2–3 0–0 1–3 3–1 2–1 1–0 0–1
Black Leopards 3–1 1–4 1–2 2–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–2 0–0 2–5 0–2 2–3 2–1 1–0
Bloemfontein Celtic 4–2 1–1 0–0 2–0 1–0 3–2 3–1 0–0 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–0 0–1 2–0 1–2
Free State Stars 1–0 2–1 0–0 2–2 2–1 3–1 1–0 1–2 0–2 4–1 0–1 1–0 0–0 2–0 1–1
Golden Arrows 0–1 1–2 1–1 4–2 0–3 2–0 3–1 0–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–4 3–1 1–3 1–2
Jomo Cosmos 1–2 0–0 0–0 2–2 1–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–2 2–1 2–2 2–2
Kaizer Chiefs 2–0 0–0 2–1 0–1 2–0 2–1 1–2 2–1 2–0 0–1 3–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 1–2
Mamelodi Sundowns 2–3 0–0 1–1 5–1 2–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 1–0 4–0 0–0 1–2 3–1 0–1
Maritzburg United 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 3–1 0–0 1–0 0–1 2–1 2–1 1–1 0–0
Moroka Swallows 3–2 1–1 3–0 4–1 0–0 2–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–2 0–0 2–1 3–2 1–1
Orlando Pirates 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 2–1 3–1 2–0 2–1 3–2 0–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 3–0
Platinum Stars 2–0 0–1 0–2 2–2 2–1 0–1 1–0 4–1 1–2 0–0 1–1 0–0 3–4 4–1 0–0
Santos 0–1 1–2 3–1 1–1 2–1 0–1 1–2 1–0 2–1 2–5 2–1 1–3 3–0 1–2 0–1
SuperSport United 2–1 0–1 2–1 3–0 0–1 1–1 2–1 0–0 2–0 1–3 7–0 0–0 1–2 2–0 1–0
Updated to match(es) played on 19 May 2012. Source: Premier Soccer League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Statistics

Top goalscorers As of May 19, 2012

Rank Player Club Goals
1 South Africa Siyabonga Nomvethe Moroka Swallows 20
2 South Africa Eleazar Rodgers Santos 13
3 South Africa Edward Manqele Free State Stars 11
4 South Africa Lehlohonolo Majoro Kaizer Chiefs 10
South Africa David Mathebula Moroka Swallows 10
South Africa Benni McCarthy Orlando Pirates 10
South Africa Katlego Mphela Mamelodi Sundowns 10
8 South Africa Luyanda Bacela Bloemfontein Celtic 9
Zimbabwe Nyasha Mushekwi Mamelodi Sundowns 9
10 Zimbabwe Khama Billiat Ajax Cape Town 8
South Africa Thamsanqa Gabuza Golden Arrows 8
Zimbabwe Kingston Nkhatha Black Leopards 8

Last updated: 19 May 2012
Source: Premier Soccer League

Awards

The 2011–12 PSL Awards ceremony was held on 27 May 2012.

PSL Footballer of the Year

The PSL Footballer of the Year was awarded to Siyabonga Nomvethe.[40]

Palesa Shabalala The PSL Player of the Season was also awarded to Siyabonga Nomvethe.[40]

PSL Players' Player of the Season

The PSL Players' Player of the Season was also awarded to Siyabonga Nomvethe.[40]

PSL Red Hot Young Player of the Season

The PSL Red Hot Young Player of the Season was awarded to Ronwen Williams.[40]

PSL Coach of the Season

The PSL Coach of the Season was awarded to Gordon Igesund.[40]

PSL Top Goalscorer

The PSL Top Goalscorer award went to Siyabonga Nomvethe.[40]

PSL Goalkeeper of the Season

The PSL Goalkeeper of the Season award went to Wayne Sandilands.[40]

PSL Absa-lutely Awesome Goal of the Season

The PSL Absa-lutely Awesome Goal of the Season award went to Benni McCarthy.[40]

See also

References
  1. "SuperSport crush Maritzburg 7–0". PSL. 14 October 2011. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  2. "Bhele, Maleka strike twice to sink Leopards". PSL. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  3. "AmaZulu add more woes to Leopards". PSL. 22 April 2012. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  4. "Sundowns back on the winning trail". PSL. 17 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  5. "Sundowns put Santos to the sword". PSL. 30 November 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  6. "Celtic sink Golden Arrows". PSL. 13 August 2011. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  7. "Swallows up to 2nd". Kick Off. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  8. "Pirates win seven goal thriller". PSL. 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  9. "Manyama steals it for Ajax". PSL. 22 December 2011. Archived from the original on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  10. "Five-star Sundowns thump Santos". Kick Off. 30 November 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  11. "SuperSport in 7-goal rout". Kick Off. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  12. "SA Premiership 2011–2012 Season Attendance Table". football365.com. 26 May 2012. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  13. "2010–11 Fixtures released". PSL.com. 16 July 2011. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  14. "ABSA Premiership fixture list". PSL.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  15. "Cosmos beat Bay United 5–4". SABCNews. 22 May 2011. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  16. "Leopards return to the top-flight". Kickoff.com. 18 June 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  17. "Benni shines as Bucs conquer the Absa Premiership". PSL. 19 May 2012. Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  18. "Heartbreak as Cosmos is relegated to the NFD". PSL. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  19. "Nooij: only ourselves to blame for predicament". PSL. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  20. "Leopards secure PSL status". PSL. 19 May 2012. Archived from the original on 19 June 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  21. "Santos relegated from PSL". Sport24.com. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  22. "PSL and SuperSport continue partnership". PSL.com. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  23. "Foppe de Haan to leave Ajax". Eyewitness News. 30 March 2011. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  24. "Stekelenburg the first 'true' Ajax coach". iol.co.za/capeargus. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  25. "Krol wants to leave Bucs with Cup success". Kickoff.com. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  26. "Leal replaces Krol at Pirates". iol.co.za. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  27. "AmaZulu sack Mngqithi". Kickoff.com. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  28. "Palmgren named new AmaZulu coach". Supersport. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  29. "Chidzambwa "redeployed" as Leopards hire new coach". The Zimbabwean. 28 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  30. "Heric announced as Leopards coach". 26 October 2011. Archived from the original on 29 October 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  31. "Crowie to bring new energy to The People's Team". Santos. 9 December 2011. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  32. "Solomons not fired, but not coaching". Kickoff.com. 9 December 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  33. "Platinum Stars suspend Owen da Gama". Kickoff.com. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  34. "Leal was unaware of suspension". Kickoff.com. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  35. "Bucs suspend Leal". Kickoff. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  36. "VV and Chiefs part ways!". Kickoff.com. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  37. "Nooij to coach Santos". Kickoff. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  38. "Nooij: I'm not just here for 5 matches". Kickoff.com. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  39. "Heric Wishes Leopards Well". Soccer Laduma. 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  40. Kickoff.com (27 May 2012). "All the PSL Award winners". kickoff.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
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