National Soccer League (South Africa)
| Founded | 1985 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 1995 |
| Country | South Africa |
| Most championships | Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns (3 titles each) |
The National Soccer League (NSL) was a South African association football league established in 1985 as a response to boardroom disagreements in the non-racial NPSL.[1] The NPSL had been established in 1978 after a merger between the white NFL and the previous racial black NPSL. A portion of the NPSL continued under its own name, and later merged with the NSL to form today's Premier Soccer League (PSL).
The NSL faced accusations of endemic bribery and corruption in its ranks.[2]
History
Champions
| Year | Winner[3] | Runner-up | Third-place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Bush Bucks | Rangers Johannesburg | Bloemfontein Celtic |
| 1986 | Rangers Johannesburg | Bush Bucks | Amazulu |
| 1987 | Jomo Cosmos | Kaizer Chiefs | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| 1988 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Jomo Cosmos | Arcadia |
| 1989 | Kaizer Chiefs | Orlando Pirates | Hellenic FC |
| 1990 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Kaizer Chiefs | Orlando Pirates |
| 1991 | Kaizer Chiefs | Sundowns | Fairway Stars |
| 1992 | Kaizer Chiefs | Hellenic FC | Wits University |
| 1993 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Moroka Swallows | AmaZulu |
| 1994 | Orlando Pirates | Cape Town Spurs | Umtata Bucks |
| 1995 | Cape Town Spurs | Sundowns | Orlando Pirates |
Most titles
| Team | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 3 |
1988, 1990, 1993 |
| Kaizer Chiefs | 3 |
1989, 1991, 1992 |
| Bush Bucks | 1 |
1985 |
| Rangers Johannesburg | 1 |
1986 |
| Jomo Cosmos | 1 |
1987 |
| Orlando Pirates | 1 |
1994 |
| Cape Town Spurs | 1 |
1995 |
Top goalscorers
| Season | Player | Goals | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Frank McGrellis | 25 | Wits University |
| 1986 | Thomas Hlongwane | 32 | Moroka Swallows |
| 1987 | Noel Cousins | 25 | Arcadia Fluoride |
| 1988 | Shane McGregor | 19 | Grinaker Rangers & Kaizer Chiefs |
| 1989 | Noel Cousins | 21 | Arcadia Fluoride & Moroka Swallows |
| 1990 | Bennett Masinga | 20 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| 1991 | Fani Madida | 28 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 1992 | George Dearnaley | 20 | AmaZulu |
| 1993 | Daniel Mudau | 22 | Sundowns FC |
| 1994 | Wilfred Mugeyi | 19 | Umtata Bucks |
| 1995 | Gerald Stober | 18 | Hellenic |
References
- ^ Staff Reporter (18 February 2000). "A diary of disarray". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ Staff Reporter (29 July 1994). "Blowing The Whistle On Corruption". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ^ "South Africa Cup History". RSSSF. Retrieved 3 May 2010.