The PSL is returning this weekend with all 16 teams in action as the 2025-26 officially kicks off across various venues in the country.
Mamelodi Sundowns will begin their quest for a ninth straight PSL title while Orlando Pirates will be pushing them again for the league crown after starting well last season before fading off in the final months.
Meanwhile, there is pressure on Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi to finish higher than the ninth place of last season while newly-promoted Durban City and Orbit College will be out to avoid instant relegation.
Afrik-Foot predicts how the PSL positions will be distributed in 2025-26.
16. Orbit College
Even with the signing of Monnapule Saleng, the newly-promoted side will struggle to stay in the top flight as they still lack players with experience to play at this level.
Saleng has also not played competitively since December 2024 and does not have team-mates of the quality of Pirates to make things easy for him and we foresee a direct relegation for Orbit College.
15. Magesi FC
Magesi did just enough to survive last season as they finished 13th but it is going to be a tough second season in the PSL given there have not been much activity in the transfer window while they have released 10.
It means they will largely rely on the team of last season and that will not be enough when the games come thick and fast, hence a 15th place finish in our estimation.
14. Durban City
Another newly-promoted side, Afrik-Foot predicts that they will have a tough season but survive relegation due two factors.
The first is that they have a highly experienced coach in Gavin Hunt, who will help them navigate the storm, while they have added players with top flight knowhow such as Liam De Kock, Darren Keet, and Haashim Domingo.
13. Marumo Gallants
Marumo Gallants finished 12th last season and missed out on the top eight by just one point but this season is likely to be different.
They have made massive changes to the squad, bringing in 11 players, who will need time to adapt while coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who led them to the impressive finish, has since ditched them for Pirates.
12. Richards Bay
Another club that had a good second half to the season, Richards Bay finished eighth last term but could see their position change in 2025-26 as they have lost quality players in Nkosikhona Ndaba and Yanela Mbuthuma, who both signed for Pirates, while they have signed 12 new players who need time to gel.
11. Siwelele FC
After acquiring SuperSport United and changing names, Siwele FC have been quiet in terms of transfer activity and have lost top players in Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Scotland FC), Siphesihle Ndlovu (Kaizer Chiefs).
However, the club’s new owners will want to show ambition by bringing in new and quality players and with an experienced coach in Lehlohonolo Seema, they should improve on the 14th place of last season.
10. Golden Arrows
Golden Arrows also had a tough season that ended in 12th place but coach Manqoba Mngqithi now understands his team and should improve on their position slightly although the lack of depth and quality may see them miss out on the top eight.
9. TS Galaxy
The Rockets started last season poorly but picked up later and this was after coach Adnan Beganovic arrived in November 2024, leading them to an impressive fifth place.
However, a season of struggle is in the offing after opting to cash in on winger Kamogelo Sibelebele (Orlando Pirates) and defender Kulumani Ndamane, who is closer to joining Sundowns, while the release of striker Dzenan Zajmovic left them short upfront.
8. Chippa United
Chippa United were unlike themselves in 2024-25 when they ended up 11th but we are predicting a top eight finish for the Chilli Boys.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is still at the club while they have released a number of older players and replaced them with younger ones who have PSL experience and others who do not have while a young coach in Sinethemba Badela brings fresh ideas.
7. Polokwane City
Rise and Shine have been making the top eight and we predict another seventh-place finish for them even after losing Oswin Appollis to Orlando Pirates. Coach Phuti Mohafe has promised new signings and has not lost many players which gives him a good base to build on.
6. AmaZulu
Another top eight finish is in the offing for AmaZulu, who finished sixth last term, and coach Arthur Zwane should maintain the standard in the new campaign.
Zwane’s experience, added to the fact that they have added to the squad, should put Usuthu in good stead although the worry would be the absence of a clinical striker.
5.Kaizer Chiefs
For all the promise and pressure, Kaizer Chiefs will improve but we do not feel they still have enough to crack into the top four.
Chiefs struggled for consistency last season and those problems have not gone away even with the six new signings and they will continue their improvements but still fall short of continental football qualification via the league position.
Only three goals scored in pre-season and nine conceded in six pre-season games suggest their inability to score goals and to keep a clean sheet is still there and they will not go far with a porous defence and toothless attack.
4. Stellenbosch FC
Afrik-Foot is predicting a fourth-place finish for Stellenbosch, down from third in the last two seasons, because of the players they have lost.
Stellies survived mass departures last season but they will struggle a little bit this term as they have lost assets in defenders Fawaaz Basadien and Ismael Toure while midfielder Sihle Nduli also ditched them, robbing coach Steve Barker of quality and with the CAF Confederation Cup matches, the lack of good depth will bite in the league.
3. Sekhukhune United
Replacing Stellenbosch in third is Sekhukhune United who pushed them for a podium place last season before finishing fourth, just two points behind.
Babina Noko have made a number of exciting signings such as Bradley Grobler, Sphiwe Mahlangu, Miguel Timm, Manuel Sapunga, Toaster Nsabata among others and have a hugely experienced coach in Erik Tinkler.
2. Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates pushed Mamelodi Sundowns last season but still ended up 12 points short but while we are predicting a fourth straight second place for the Buccaneers, the gap will be significantly reduced.
Pirates have brought in the likes of Sebelebele, Nduli, Yanele Mbuthuma, Sipho Mbule and Appollis and if they can keep hold of Relebohile Mofokeng, they can push Sundowns hard. New coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will also want to make his mark.
1. Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns still have no equals in the PSL even if they do not sign anyone. However, there is a growing feeling that Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro will leave while the futures of Khuliso Mudau and Peter Shalulile are unknown.
That would rob coach Miguel Cardoso star quality but while they will feel it hard in the CAF Champions League, they still have enough in their squad to win a ninth straight PSL title, even if Basadien was to remain their only signing.
