The Premier Soccer League (PSL) in South Africa is one of Africa’s most established football leagues, and its best players are among the highest-paid on the continent.
The league’s top stars enjoy good salaries; teams must pay them well to retain their skills. In the 2023-24 season, the highest-paid player in the PSL receives a salary of over one million Rand.
But the gap between the first and the 20th is so significant that the 20th best-paid player receives around R250,000.
Here is a look at the top 20 highest-paid players in the PSL for the 2023-24 season, including their teams and playing positions.
1. Keagan Dolly – R1.45 million ($77,000)
- Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Current Team: Kaizer Chiefs
- Previous Teams: Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns, Montpellier
- Date of Birth: 22 January 1993
- Awards: PSL (2015-2016), CAF Champions League (2016), PSL Young Player of the Season (2013-14), CAF Team of the Year, Telkom Knockout (2015)
Keagan Dolly is a South African professional footballer. He is an attacking midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs and the South African men’s national team.
Keagan Dolly’s salary is R1.45 million or $77,000 monthly, making him the highest-paid player in African leagues. He earns more than Percy Tau at Al Ahly.
Dolly started his senior career in 2012 at Ajax Cape Town FC. He has since played for several clubs, including Mamelodi Sundowns and Montpellier.
Besides the South African men’s national team, he has also played for South Africa U23.
2. Samir Nurkovic – R930,000 ($49,400)
- Position: Striker
- Current Team: TS Galaxy
- Previous Teams: Košice, ViOn Zlaté Moravce, Dunajská Streda, Slovan Duslo Šaľa, Spartak Vráble, Pohronie, Komárno, Kaizer Chiefs
- Date of Birth: 13 June 1992
Samir Nurkovic is a Serbian international. He plays as a striker for TS Galaxy in the PSL. He receives a salary of about R930,000 or $49,400 from TS Galaxy.
Before joining TS Galaxy, Samir played for Kaizer Cheifs. His previous clubs have been in Europe, including Košice, ViOn Zlaté Moravce, Dunajská Streda, Slovan Duslo Šaľa, Spartak Vráble, Pohronie, and Komárno.
3. Deon Hotto – R500,000 ($26,600)
- Position: Midfielder
- Current Team: Orlando Pirates
- Previous Teams: Blue Boys, African Stars, Golden Arrows, Bloemfontein Celtic, Bidvest Wits
- Date of Birth: 29 October 1990
Deon Hotto is a Namibian professional footballer. He is a midfielder for PSL club Orlando Pirates and the Namibian men’s national team.
Hotto is among the highest-paid players in the PSL. He receives a monthly salary of R500,000 or $26,600.
The midfielder started his football career in Namibia with Blue Boys FC. He moved to the PSL in 2014 and joined Golden Arrows.
However, Hotto has also played for African Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic, and Bidvest Wits.
4. Itumeleng Khune – R480,000 ($25,500)
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Current Team: Kaizer Chiefs
- Previous Teams: Kaizer Chiefs
- Date of Birth: 20 June 1987
- Awards: PSL (2004-05, 2012-13, 2014-15), ABSA Cup/Nedbank Cup (2006, 2013, 2014), Coca-Cola Cup/Telkom Knockout (2004, 2007, 2009, 2010), SAA Supa 8/MTN 8 (2006, 2008, 2014)
Itumeleng Khune is one of the most experienced players in South African football. He is a goalkeeper for Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL and the Bafana Bafana.
The South African goalkeeper receives a monthly salary of R480,000 or $25,500. He has been with Kaizer Chiefs since 1999, when he joined the youth team.
He was the PSL Footballer of the Year (2012-13), PSL Players’ Player of the Season (2007-08, 2012-13), PSL Club Rookie of the Year (2007-08), SA Sports Awards Sportsman of the Year (2013), and SA Sports Awards Newcomer of the Year (2008).
5. Ricardo Nascimento – R400,000 ($21,200)
- Position: Defender
- Current Team: Royal AM FC
- Previous Teams: Palmeiras, Olé Brasil, Penafiel, Portimonense, Comercial, Astra Giurgiu, Moreirense, Académica, Mamelodi Sundowns
- Date of Birth: 7 February 1987
- Awards: PSL (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21), Nedbank Cup (2019-20), Telkom Knockout (2019), CAF Super Cup (2017)
Ricardo Nascimento is a Brazilian international. He plays for Royal AM FC as a defender.
He joined Royal AM FC in February 2022. The PSL club pays him a monthly salary of R400,000 or $21,200. The Brazillian national started his professional career in 2007, playing for Palmeiras.
He has also played for other clubs, including Olé Brasil, Penafiel, Portimonense, Comercial, Astra Giurgiu, Moreirense, Académica, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
6. Thapelo Morena – R400,000 ($21,200)
- Position: Defender, Midfielder
- Current Team: Mamelodi Sundowns
- Previous Teams: Bloemfontein Celtic
- Date of Birth: 6 August 1993
- Awards: PSL (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22), Nedbank Cup (2019-20, 2021-22), Telkom Knockout (2019), MTN 8: 2021
Thapelo Morena is a South African professional soccer player. He plays as a defender or midfielder for PSL club Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African men’s national team.
Morena is among the highest-paid footballers in South African football. He receives a monthly salary of R400,000 or $21,200.
Thapelo previously played for Bloemfontein Celtic between 2013 and 2016. He joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 and has been with the team ever since.
7. Brian Onyango – R380,000 ($20,200)
- Position: Centre-back
- Current Team: Mamelodi Sundowns
- Previous Teams: Posta Rangers, Tusker, Santos, Maritzburg United
- Date of Birth: 24 July 1994
Brain Onyango is a Kenyan international footballer. He plays centre-back for PSL club Mamelodi Sundowns and the Kenyan men’s national team.
The Kenyan centre-back joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2020. As a result, the team agreed to pay him R380,000 or $20,200, making him among the highest-paid players at Mamelodi Sundowns.
He previously played for Posta Rangers and Tusker FC in Kenya, Santos FC, and Maritzburg United in South Africa.
8. Erwin Saavedra – R350,000 ($18,600)
- Position: Midfielder, Right-Back
- Current Team: Mamelodi Sundowns
- Previous Teams: Bolívar, Goiás
- Date of Birth: 22 February 1996
Erwin Saavedra is a Bolivian professional footballer who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL. Saavedra is a midfielder or right-back for the club and his country, Bolivia.
Saavedra receives a monthly salary of R350,000 or $18,600. He joined Mamelodi Sundowns from Bolivar in 2022.
He started his youth and senior football careers at Bolivar in 2013. In 2017, Bolivar loaned him to Goiás in Brazil.
9. Sibusiso Vilakazi – R350,000
- Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Current Team: TS Galaxy FC
- Previous Teams: Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns
- Date of Birth: 29 December 1989
- Awards: PSL (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22), Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament (2013-14), Player of the Season (2013-14), Players’ Player of the Season (2013-14)
Sibusiso Vilakazi is an attacking midfielder for TS Galaxy and the South African men’s national team. He joined TS Galaxy in 2022 from Mamelodi Sundowns.
Regarding PSL players’ salaries, Subusiso receives a monthly salary of R350,000 or $18,600. Vilakazi started his football career at Bidvest Wits as a youth and joined the senior team in 2009.
The South African midfielder has played for the South African men’s national team since 2012. His success as a footballer came when he played for Mamelodi Sundowns.
10. Sipho Mbule – R350,000 ($18,600)
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Current Team: Mamelodi Sundowns
- Previous Teams: SuperSport United
- Date of Birth: 22 March 1998
Sipho Mbule is a South African professional footballer who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL. Mbule plays as a central midfielder for his club and the South African men’s national team.
Sipho is among the highest-paid players in the PSL and at Mamelodi Sundowns. He receives a monthly salary of R350,000 or $18,600.
The midfielder started his career at SuperSport United before transferring to Mamelodi Sundowns. He has also played for South Africa Under 20 and 23.
11. Kermit Erasmus – R350,000 ($18,600)
- Position: Striker, Winger
- Current Team: Orlando Pirates
- Previous Teams: SuperSport United, Feyenoord, Excelsior, Orlando Pirates, Rennes, Lens, AFC Eskilstuna, Vitória de Setúbal, Cape Town City, Mamelodi Sundowns
- Date of Birth: 8 July 1990
- Awards: PSL (2007-08, 2021-22), Nedbank Cup (2011-12, 2013-14, 2023), MTN 8 (2021, 2022, 2023)
Kermit Erasmus is a South African international striker and winger for Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana.
The South African striker receives a monthly salary of R350,000 or $18,600. His career started at SuperSport United in 2007.
He has played for many teams in Europe and South Africa, such as SuperSport United, Feyenoord, Excelsior, Orlando Pirates, Rennes, Lens, AFC Eskilstuna, Vitória de Setúbal, Cape Town City, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
12. Mosa Lebusa – R300,000 ($15,900)
- Position: Centre-back, Left-back
- Current Team: Mamelodi sUNDOWNS
- Previous Teams: Ajax Cape Town FC
- Date of Birth: 10 October 1992
Mosa Lebusa is a South African professional footballer. He plays as a centre-back or left-back for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Lebusa is among the highest-paid players at Mamelodi Sundowns and PSL. He receives a monthly salary of R300,000 or $15,900.
Mosa previously played for Ajax Cape Town FC, where he started his career. He has also played for the South African men’s national team.
13. Bernard Parker – R300,000
- Position: Midfielder, Forward
- Current Team: TS Galaxy
- Previous Teams: Thanda Royal Zulu, Red Star Belgrade, FC Twente, Panserraikos, Kaizer Chiefs
- Date of Birth: 16 March 1986
- Awards: Eredivisie (2009-10), Johan Cruijff Schaal (2010), PSL (2012-13, 2014-15), Nedbank Cup (2012-13), MTN 8 (2015)
Bernard Parker is a South African professional footballer. He is a midfielder and forward for PSL club TS Galaxy and Bafana Bafana.
The TS Galaxy forward receives a monthly salary of R300,000 or $15,900. His career started in 2004 when he played for the now-defunct South African club Thanda Royal Zulu.
He has also played for other clubs in Europe and South Africa, including Red Star Belgrade, FC Twente, Panserraikos, and Kaizer Chiefs.
His experience has won him several individual awards, including the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot (2013-14) and the African Nations Championship Golden Boot (2014).
14. Gaston Sirino – R300,000 ($15,900)
- Position: Center forward. Left winger
- Current Team: Mamelodi Sundowns
- Previous Teams: Rampla Juniors, Unión San Felipe, San Luis, Bolívar
- Date of Birth: 22 February 1991
- Awards: Bolivian Primera División (2016-17), PSL (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22), Nedbank Cup (2019-20, 2021-22), Telkom Knockout (2019), MTN 8 (2021)
Gaston Sirino is a Uruguayan professional footballer. He plays as a winger for the PSL club Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Uruguayan winger receives a monthly salary of R300,000 or $15,900 from Mamelodi Sundowns. Before joining the team, he played for Rampala Juniors, Union San Felipe, San Luis, and Bolivar.
His career started in 2011 when he played for Rampala Juniors in Uruguay. Sarino is yet to debut for the Uruguayan men’s national team.
15. Thulani Hlatshwayo – R300,000 ($15,900)
- Position: Defender
- Current Team: SuperSport United
- Previous Teams: Ajax Cape Town, Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates
- Date of Birth: 18 December 1989
- Awards: PSL (2016/2017), MTN 8 (2016, 2020), Telkom Knockout (2017)
Thulani Hlatshwayo is a South African professional footballer. He plays as a defender for PSL club SuperSport United.
Thulani Hlatshwayo’s salary at SuperSport United is R300,000 or $15,900 monthly. He is the highest-paid player at SuperSport United.
Thulani started his career at Ajax Cape Town in 2009. He has since played for Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates. Furthermore, Thulani is a defender for the Bafana Bafana.
16. Richard Ofori – R300,000 ($15,900)
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Current Team: Orlando Pirates
- Previous Teams: Wa All-Stars, Maritzburg United
- Date of Birth: 1 November 1993
- Awards: Ghanaian Premier League (2016), Ghana Super Cup (2017), MTN 8 (2020, 2022, 2023)
Richard Ofori is a Ghanaian professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for Orlando Pirates and the Ghanaian national team.
The Ghanaian midfielder is one of the highest-paid goalkeepers in the PSL. He receives R300,000 or $15,900 monthly.
He played for Wa All-Stars in Ghana and Maritzburg United in South Africa. Richard has also played for the Ghana U20 and U23.
17. Abubeker Nasir – R290,000 ($15,400)
- Position: Forward
- Current Team: Mamelodi Sundowns
- Previous Teams: Ethiopian Coffee
- Date of Birth: 25 February 2000
Abubeker Nasir is an Ethiopian professional footballer. He is a forward for Mamelodi Sundowns and the Ethiopian men’s national team.
The Ethiopian forward receives a monthly salary of R290,000 or $15,400. He started his youth career in Ethiopia when he played for Harar City between 2014 and 2016.
Nasir then moved to Ethiopian Coffee and played for the team between 2016 and 2022. Finally, he signed for Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022.
18. Themba Zwane – R250,000 ($13,300)
- Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Current Team: Mamelodi Sundowns
- Previous Teams: Mpumalanga Black Aces
- Date of Birth: 3 August 1989
- Awards: 7 PSL titles, 2 Telkom Knockout titles, 3 Nedbank Cup titles, MTN 8 (2021), CAF Champions League (2016), CAF Super Cup (2017), African Football League (2023)
Themba Zwane is a South African professional footballer. He is an attacking midfielder for PSL club Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African men’s national team.
His precise salary is undetermined. Many publications estimate his monthly salary is between R250,000 ($13,300) and R400,000 ($21,200).
Zwane is one of the few players in the PSL who have won the most titles. He has won seven titles with Mamelodi Sundowns, where he has spent his whole career.
19. Mothobi Mvala – R250,000 ($13,300)
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- Position: Central Midfielder
- Current Team: Mamelodi Sundowns
- Previous Teams: Highlands Park
- Date of Birth: 14 June 1994
Mothobi Mvala is a South African professional footballer. He is a central midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL.
The South African midfielder receives a monthly salary of R250,000 OR $13,300. His career started with Highlands Park.
After Highlands Park, he moved to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2020. Mothobi Mvala also plays for the South African men’s national team.
20. Oupa Manyisa – R220,000 ($11,600)
- Position: Central Defender
- Current Team: Kaizer Chiefs
- Previous Teams: Bloemfontein Celtic
- Date of Birth: 1 March 1990
- Awards: PSL (2013, 2015), Nedbank Cup (2013), Carling Black Label Cup (2013), MTN 8 (2014)
Oupa Manyisa is a South African professional footballer. He plays as a central defender for Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL.
Manyisa receives a monthly salary of R220,000 or $11,600. He started his career at Bloemfontein Celtic in 2009 and moved to Kaizer Chiefs in 2012.
Manyisa has played for the South African men’s national team and has represented Bafana Bafana in the Olympics.
