Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman, Irvin Khoza, has revealed a significant boost in the prize money for the winner of this season’s Betway Premiership. In a press briefing held in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Khoza confirmed that the 2024/2025 league champions will receive R20 million — an impressive R15 million increase compared to last season’s prize, where Mamelodi Sundowns won R5 million. This announcement comes as Khoza’s current term as PSL chairman nears its end next week. However, Khoza, who has been a prominent figure in South African football administration, is standing unopposed for re-election and is expected to continue in his role.
“We are excited to announce that the winner of the Betway Premiership will receive R20 million this season,” Khoza said at the PSL offices in Parktown. “This is a substantial increase that reflects our commitment to growing the league and rewarding excellence.” The PSL chairman added that details regarding the prize money for the other top positions in the league standings will be announced soon. “In a couple of weeks, we will announce the prize breakdown for positions two, three, and so on. Stay tuned,” Khoza said.
In the current standings, Orlando Pirates are leading the Premiership with an unbeaten run. The Buccaneers secured their seventh consecutive win on Tuesday night, defeating Richards Bay 1-0, and are sitting on 21 points, six points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand. Sundowns will look to reduce that gap when they take on Polokwane City on Wednesday. The match will be an opportunity for the defending champions to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the season against the same team last week. The increase in prize money is seen as a major step forward in improving the financial rewards for South Africa’s top football league, enhancing its competitiveness and appeal. Fans and clubs alike are eagerly awaiting the rest of the prize details as the season progresses.
Orlando Pirates vs Richards Bay: Jose Riveiro happy with ‘three more points’
Orlando Pirates set new records on Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory over Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership, marking their seventh consecutive win to start the season. This result not only extends their unbeaten run but also sees them achieve a first-ever in the PSL era — winning more than six matches in a row. The triumph also marked a significant milestone for Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, who celebrated his 100th match in charge of the club. Riveiro, who has overseen this impressive run, was pleased with the three points but remained focused on areas for improvement. “It’s three more points, so we’re very happy,” said Riveiro after the game.
The only goal of the match came from Evidence Makgopa in the 26th minute, as the Buccaneers dominated throughout the contest. Despite the slim scoreline, Pirates controlled the game with 68% possession and had 18 shots on goal, compared to just four for Richards Bay. Their passing game was equally dominant, completing 571 passes to Richards Bay’s 261. Although Pirates were in command, the scoreline didn’t reflect the extent of their dominance, with Riveiro noting that his side could have finished the game with a more emphatic score. “We were forced into looking for a second or a third one. We tried to find a little bit of an advantage close to their box, but they recovered possession very quickly,” said Riveiro.
“We had chances to put the game beyond our opponent in the second half but a lack of luck in the final third kept the game at 1-0. It was probably not a true reflection of our performance,” he added. With 21 points from seven games, Orlando Pirates remain top of the PSL standings, holding a six-point lead over defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played one game fewer. Sundowns will look to close the gap when they face Polokwane City on Wednesday evening. The match against Richards Bay also showcased Pirates’ defensive resilience, as they weathered a few dangerous transitions from their opponents. Despite their dominance, the team struggled to convert their chances into a bigger margin, which Riveiro admits is an area they can improve upon as they aim to keep their strong start to the season intact.
