The PSL's newly designed trophy gets mixed reactions from fans
After waiting months for the Betway Premiership trophy to be designed by renowned artist Nelson Makamo, local soccer fans have mixed reactions to the league's new trophy.
The new trophy was unveiled this past weekend after Mamelodi Sundowns' 2-0 victory over Magesi. Sundowns were confirmed as league champions the week before.
THIS TROPHY WAS PROBABLY DESIGNED BY A SMOKER FROM CAPE TOWN (OKA PIPE) HUBBLY BUBBLY #BetwayPremiership #sundows pic.twitter.com/rGyZDd3giY — 🅿️🅿️L9ICE🍋🔥 (@PPL9ICE) May 18, 2025
While those who are pleased with the new design seem to be Sundowns fans, several fans ridiculed the design, with many comparing it to a hookah pipe because of how it looks.
The Citizen contacted Betway, the league's sponsors, who said questions should be directed to the league itself. However, the PSL has yet to respond.
Nelson Makamo…. That's the tweet 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ObKSismMwM — Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) May 19, 2025
ALSO READ: Ricollin Moodley uses lipstick art to honour former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks
Thought behind the trophy
In an April video posted on Betway's YouTube page, Makamo chats with former soccer players- Oupa Manyisa, Mpho Makola, Lucky Lekgwathi and Lehlohonolo Majoro.
Former striker Majoro asked the artist if he had a concept in mind for how he wanted the trophy to look. Makamo said he had a couple of ideas.
'When you look at all the trophies, they hardly include two important figures: the player and a supporter,' shared Makamo.
'So for me, it was one of the things where I said 'these are the people that actually make the league' they define the league.'
In the same conversation, the artist mentioned that most trophies only use silver and bronze.
'It's unusual to find gold on a trophy, and in South Africa we have [gold]. So hopefully, if all goes [well], there will be a bit of gold'
'For me, the trophy means a lot to me,' said former Mamelodi Sundowns Captain Hlompho Kekana.
'That's why when I see a trophy, it has to be a trophy that speaks to us players, as a country and the history of football in South Africa, because then it will live forever in our memories.'
ALSO READ: Denzel Washington 'blessed beyond measure' after surprise tribute at Cannes Film Festival
'Complementing number one'
In another promotional video by the league sponsors in November, Makamo discussed how trophies are seldom focused on after a team wins them.
'Usually, we don't get to focus on the trophy. The trophy was not that important; the most important thing is that you were number one,' said Makamo in the video.
I love it!!!
Nelson Makamo did the thing.
pic.twitter.com/H0A4Wr1VCg — Andile Ncube (@AndileNcube) May 18, 2025
'That number one needs to be complimented as well.'
The world-renowned visual artist from Modimolle in Limpopo said he wanted to create something symbolic with the trophy.
'When I learn more about the project, it was to also look at the heritage and how do we celebrate South Africa especially soccer, as on sport that managed to give and offer therapy to a lot of during the dark period of the country as well' he shared at the time.
In the video, Makamo speak about soccer fans' impatience and eagerness to see the trophy.
'People are still asking…they even went as far as getting into my social pages, and they were not asking politely. They were like, 'hey, where's the trophy?'.'
The artist said South Africa is one of the most cultured countries in the world. 'I need something that will reflect who we are if I'm gonna do it.'
NOW READ: Tiara to textbooks: Miss SA 2020 Shudufhadzo's fab first year at Columbia University and the United Nations
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Done Deal: Kaizer Chiefs sign THIRD ex-Orlando Pirates star!
Kaizer Chiefs have added two more signings to their squad after initially announcing three earlier in the week. Chiefs have finally confirmed the signings of former Orlando Pirates duo Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako. Monyane and Mako's signings come after the club announced Nkanyiso Shinga, Flavio Silva and Ethan Chislett earlier in the week. This then brings the amount of signings to five at Chiefs so far this window. But Amakhosi are far from done with regards to their transfer business according reports. Following rumours that they were close to signing Siphesihle Ndlovu from SuperSport United, FARPost has since confirmed the ex-Pirates midfielder is now Khosified! 'SuperSport United midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu has completed his move to Kaizer Chiefs. The clubs agreed on the transfer fee, and Ndlovu has signed his contract and completed his medical examinations. Negotiations between Chiefs and SuperSport had been ongoing for over a week, particularly since Matsatsantsa recently exercised Ndlovu's one-year option. Interestingly, the Soweto giants have already agreed deals with Ndlovu's former teammates at Pirates, Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako. Official announcements are expected this week as the team departs for a pre-season tour in the Netherlands. Last season, the ex-Maritzburg United player was present in all but three Betway Premiership games. He contributed two goals and assisting in two other goals.' Wrote the publication. It now remains to be seen when Chiefs will announce the signing of Ndlovu. According to Unplayable , his name was part of a list who had done their Visa applications for the Netherlands tour. Whether he will be unveiled on time to join his new teammates now remains to be seen. He now becomes the third former Pirates player to become a Glamour Boy this window after Monyane and Mako. Chiefs fans how do you feel about the signing of Ndlovu from SuperSport? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
TS Galaxy's financial woes could hand Cape Town City a PSL lifeline
TS Galaxy's status up for grabs? Cape Town City's Kamohelo Mokotjo takes on TS Galaxy's Nhlanhla Mgaga during their Betway Premiership clash at Athlone Stadium last March. Photo: Wyan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Image: Wyan Wilkisky/BackpagePix TS Galaxy currently find themselves in a tight corner financially, which could force the club to sell their status to the recently relegated Cape Town City. In an interview with Robert Marawa last week, City chairman John Comitis said he was willing to purchase another club's status in order to keep the Western Cape club in the top flight. 'It's a lot easier to do it at PSL level. There's a certain funding that you have, there's an exposure level, which is what you need. It creates value for your players and the club. All these things don't exist in the NFD. So, for me, it's critical that we get back into the PSL, and the shortest route is obviously the best route,' the chairman said in his chat with Marawa. Since being founded in 2016 after purchasing the status of Mpumalanga Black Aces, the Cape Town club have never finished outside of the top eight. And just three years ago, they were the best of the rest as they finished second in the league, 16 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As a result, City have become very profitable over the years thanks to some key partnerships; FNB being one of them. Umbro, SportPesa, Coca Cola, and Virgin Active have also come on board. However, in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, with very few televised games, they might not be able to keep hold of those partnerships, something Comitis is well aware of. Now, it seems TS Galaxy's situation might present Comitis and City with an opportunity. Galaxy are in a bind. The club, who finished fifth in the league last season, won't be able to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign due to being under a transfer ban, imposed on them by world football governing body FIFA. The club were issued a transfer ban due to an outstanding payment of about R1.8 million owed to their former Ivorian forward, Bernard Yao Kouassi, who had signed in January 2023 but left by August without playing. FIFA ruled that TS Galaxy had breached his contract by failing to pay his dues, triggering a ban on registering new players for three consecutive transfer windows. On top of that, there's the case with Jegbay Morris Konneh – another Ivorian – who joined the club last July, but left after six months without getting paid. Last week, a FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled that the club must pay around R319,000 for six months of salary, plus 5% interest from August 1, 2024. Additionally, they owe around R1.79 million in compensation for breach of contract, also with 5% interest from December 31, 2024. Failure to pay this within 45 days will result in another ban over three windows. If TS Galaxy fail to resolve their financial woes soon, they risk collapsing under the weight of mounting debts and administrative sanctions. Owner Tim Sukazi could well be tempted to sell the club, opening the door for Comitis and Cape Town City's bid to stay in the top flight. What was once one of the most exciting projects in South African football now stands on the brink of disintegration. For Comitis and Cape Town City, this moment could mark an unexpected lifeline back into the Betway Premiership. But for TS Galaxy and their fans, it may very well be the painful end of a bold, ambitious dream. IOL Sport
The South African
10 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Adama Coulibaly and Oswin Appollis
This is not unexpected. Orlando Pirates require talent with continental experience if the Betway Premiership giants seek better chances to win the CAF Champions League (CAFCL) next term. The club known as the Buccaneers are expected to repeat last season's deep run in Africa after going as far as the semifinals of the CAFCL. According to reports from West Africa, Orlando Pirates have set their sights on Al Hilal's 19-year-old winger Adama Coulibaly. Kaizer Chiefs news: Second new striker and Appollis truth Orlando Pirates chairman addresses the media during a Premier Soccer League briefing in Johannesburg. Image: @officialpsl/x According to AfricaFoot, the Buccaneers and Tunisian giants Esperance have tabled offers to sign the Mali international. Portuguese giants Benfica are also said to be keen… Full story here. What Kaizer Chiefs have after losing out on Appollis Betway Premiership high-flyers Orlando Pirates sealed a statement signing with Oswin Appollis from Polokwane City this week. The 23-year-old attacker, who started his career at Ajax Cape Town, is known to be a left winger but is not limited to the number 11 role. As a versatile attacker who can play in multiple positions up front, the Sea Robbers have essentially signed three players in one…Full story here. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
