From Hanamub to Hotto: Top-performing foreign players in 2024/2025 PSL season
NAMIBIAN Riaan Hanamub of AmaZulu FC is challenged by Ashley du Preez of Kaizer Chiefs during a league match. | BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
THE pre-season player transfer window comes with performance analysis by numbers as teams look to offload and strengthen their arsenals for the upcoming season.
For foreign players, this is usually means a great deal, with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) having foreign-player quotas in place.
So, Independent Media looked at the best performing foreign nationals from the PSL's 2024/2025 Premiership season.
Boasting names like Peter Shalulile, Riaan Hanamub, Deon Hotto and Elmo Kambindu, it is fair to say that Namibia were yet again the best represented country outside South Africa in the past season.
However, not all Namibian players make our top five list of the best performing foreign nationals...
Riaan Hanamub (Defender, AmaZulu – Namibia)
The 30-year-old left fullback was yet again one of the best, if not the best, in his position in the previous season.
His closest competition comes from the Zimbabwean-born Divine Lunga, who plays in the same position for Mamelodi Sundowns.
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
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
However Lunga, only became a regular towards the end of the season, and as a result played only 10 league games.
Hanuman, though, was a regular for Usuthu, playing no less than 26 league games for the side that had at least three coaching changes.
Hanamub was a starter under Pablo Franco Martin, who in October was replaced by Vusumuzi Vilakazi and Arthur Zwane as co-coaches.
Hanamub continued to hold his own even after Vilakazi left Zwane as the sole head coach with about 10 games remaining to finish the season.
The Namibian recorded four assists to his name, proving to be an important cog in the team's attack as well. He remains an anchor for Usuthu, and in January, he was linked with a big move to Kaizer Chiefs.
Deon Hotto (Left wing-back, Orlando Pirates – Namibia)
Operating tirelessly with pace on the left flank from left back to left wing, Hotto is proving to be one of those age-defying players.
At 34, Hotto made 49 appearances for Pirates in all five competitions the Buccaneers participated in.
That includes 25 in the league and 14 Champions League games, where he produced six goals and eight assists.
He remains clubless after Pirates announced his release at the end of the season.
Peter Shalulile (Centre forward, Mamelodi Sundowns – Namibia)
Although his impact was way less than the season before, the 31-year-old Shalulile still shone for the Brazilians, scoring crucial goals when needed the most.
He made a total of 47 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals with two assists.
Lucas Ribeiro Costa (Second striker, Mamelodi Sundowns – Brazil)
By far the best performing player in the PSL for the season, the Brazilian has more numbers on his.
Playing 50 games in all competitions, he scored 21 goals and made 14 assists.
Ribeiro's influence is with the ball at his feet, as he is able to take on defenders with ease and open up space for his teammates to slot into scoring spaces – if he doesn't score himself.
However, the 26-year-old will need to work on his temper as he raked in 12 yellow cards as well.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Orbit fly past City to seal Betway Premiership spot
Letsie Koapeng's goal is enough to send the North West side into dreamland. Letsie Koapeng (centre) scored the goal that took Orbit FC to the Betway Premiership. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Orbit College will play in the Betway Premiership for the first time next season after sealing victory in the play-offs on Wednesday with a 1-0 win at home to Cape Town City. ALSO READ: Chiefs sign new midfielder Chislett – reports Experienced striker Letsie Koapeng got the all important goal in front of a healthy crowd at Olympia Park in Rustenburg. The result means Orbit have an unassailable six point lead in the play-off standings. North West are back! Orbit's promotion also puts a team from the North West in the Premiership for the first time since Platinum Stars were relegated in 2018. Cape Town City, meanwhile, suffer the ignominy of relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. For a side that had never previously finished outside the top eight since being formed in 2016, this season has been an unmitigated disaster. A dull first half saw Orbit create most of the opportunities without really troubling Cape Town City goalkeeper Darren Keet. A shot from Gomolemo Khoto was superbly blocked by City defender Nathan Fasika, while Koapeng's shot was comfortably stopped by Keet. At the other end, Haashim Domingo's effort was easily gathered by Lesotho and Orbit goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane The game livened up after the break, and City came close in the 46th minute. Jayden Rhodes found Prins Tijueza inside the box, but the Namibian, under pressure from Moerane, couldn't hit the target. ALSO READ: Chelsea sign SA youngster Schaper Orbit strike And City were made to pay as Orbit struck in the 48th minute, Khoto gathered the ball on the right and easily beat Thamsanqa Mkhize. His low cross found Koapeng, who drilled a finish past Keet. City brought on young talent Emile Witbooi as they searched for an equaliser. Domingo had another good chance in the 63rd minute but he blazed over the bar from inside the area. And the game was up for City as Mkhize headed over the bar in stoppage time, sparking scenes of wild celebration in Rustenburg.
![‘Keep shining': MaMkhize flaunts mink coat, ‘girls treat' and Versace spa day [VIDEOS]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.citizen.co.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F06%2Fmamkhize-shauwn-mkhize-tax-cars.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
‘Keep shining': MaMkhize flaunts mink coat, ‘girls treat' and Versace spa day [VIDEOS]
What car troubles?! MaMkhize's story is one of contrasts — unapologetic luxury juxtaposed with legal battles... Former Royal AM owner Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize has returned to the spotlight. Pictures: Instagram/ @kwa_mammkhize Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize is no stranger to the limelight. For most of this year, the businesswoman and reality TV star has, however, maintained a low profile on the social scene due to financial woes. Her ongoing dispute with the South African Revenue Service (Sars) has already resulted in the loss of her PSL club, Royal AM, and the seizure of her renowned luxury car collection, which will go under the hammer this week. The controversial socialite reportedly owes the taxman a staggering R37.9 million. MaMkhize mingles in mink… A defiant MaMakhize has seemingly brushed off her troubles, rising from the ashes of her business empire in a flash of fur and sharing glimpses of a luxurious 'girls treat' getaway. True to her signature flair for opulence, the KwaZulu-Natal tycoon was recently spotted donning a flamboyant mink fur coat and Gucci cap at the Basketball Africa League event at Pretoria's SunBet Arena. Joining her in the courtside seats at the Al Ahli Tripoli vs Petro de Luanda final, were music sensation Zee Nxumalo and former Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida. Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize poses for the cameras at the Basketball Africa League final at SunBet Arena earlier this month. Picture: Instagram/ @kwa_mammkhize 'Girls treat': MaMkhize shares roaring time with friends MaMkhize also flaunted her most recent 'soft life' spoils at the Shekinah Lion and Game Lodge on her Instagram account. She labelled her post about her getaway with actress Tarina Patel and Zimbabwean businesswoman and philanthropist Zodwa Mkandla, 'Girls treat❤️❤️❤️❤️' The Vaalwater lodge boasts exclusive predator suites that provide visitors with the opportunity to get up close and personal with its roaming lions and other wild cats. A stay with the dangerous predators costs R12,500 per couple per night for Monday to Thursday, and R15,000 per couple per night for Friday to Sunday, according to their Instagram account. MaMkhize captioned a video clip of her stay in the Pfamoni Sahara Suite: 'There's a lion in every woman who refuses to give up. We rise together✨ Keep shining, your win is unfolding.' Spa day in Versace MaMkhize and her girlfriends also treated themselves to a luxury spa treat in the comfort of her home this week. Sharing moments from the girls' home spa day, all three ladies can be seen dressed in Versace gowns, which retail from R10 900 up to R24 200, according to the Versace website. The Sars crackdown: MaMkhize's luxury fleet on auction MaMkhize's financial woes escalated in 2023 when Sars issued a R37.9 million tax bill, followed by a preservation order on her assets, including Royal AM Football Club. By November 2024, Sars and the South African Police Service (SAPS) raided her La Lucia mansion in Durban, seizing luxury vehicles, over 40 firearms, as well as other assets. The tax debt stems from unpaid taxes linked to Royal AM, which MaMkhize purchased in 2021 and transformed into a Premier Soccer League powerhouse. Auction details Last week, Sars announced the auction of 13 luxury vehicles and a Royal AM-branded Mercedes-Benz Maybach V-Class bus to recoup the debt. The auction, scheduled from 27 June to 2 July, is managed by Bidders Choice and requires a R50 000 refundable registration fee. The collection includes rare gems like: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S680 Maybach Edition 100: One of only 100 units produced globally, valued at approximately R5.6 million. 2020 Bentley Continental GTC: A symbol of celebrity excess, worth around R4 million. 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60: BMW's cutting-edge electric flagship. Royal AM's downfall MaMkhize's acquisition of Bloemfontein Celtic in 2021, rebranded as Royal AM, was marked by extravagance — think helicopter landings and luxury locker rooms. However, the club's failure to meet tax obligations led to curatorship and its eventual auction. The PSL's decision to expel Royal AM in April 2025 marked the end of a turbulent chapter, leaving players as free agents and stakeholders questioning MaMkhize's business acumen. History of controversy: MaMkhize, Sbu Mpisane and son This isn't MaMkhize's first brush with financial troubles. Her 2016 divorce from Sbu Mpisane was accompanied by a Sars seizure of vehicles, including a Porsche and a Rolls-Royce Ghost. Her reality show, Kwa Ma'Mkhize, and her book, My World, My Rules, have kept her in the public eye, but controversies around unpaid salaries and allegations of favouritism toward her son, Andile Mpisane, have drawn criticism over the years.
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
From Hanamub to Hotto: Top-performing foreign players in 2024/2025 PSL season
Malibongwe Mdletshe | Published 1 hour ago THE pre-season player transfer window comes with performance analysis by numbers as teams look to offload and strengthen their arsenals for the upcoming season. For foreign players, this is usually means a great deal, with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) having foreign-player quotas in place. So, Independent Media looked at the best performing foreign nationals from the PSL's 2024/2025 Premiership season. Boasting names like Peter Shalulile, Riaan Hanamub, Deon Hotto and Elmo Kambindu, it is fair to say that Namibia were yet again the best represented country outside South Africa in the past season. However, not all Namibian players make our top five list of the best performing foreign nationals... Riaan Hanamub (Defender, AmaZulu – Namibia) The 30-year-old left fullback was yet again one of the best, if not the best, in his position in the previous season. His closest competition comes from the Zimbabwean-born Divine Lunga, who plays in the same position for Mamelodi Sundowns. However Lunga, only became a regular towards the end of the season, and as a result played only 10 league games. Hanuman, though, was a regular for Usuthu, playing no less than 26 league games for the side that had at least three coaching changes. Hanamub was a starter under Pablo Franco Martin, who in October was replaced by Vusumuzi Vilakazi and Arthur Zwane as co-coaches. Hanamub continued to hold his own even after Vilakazi left Zwane as the sole head coach with about 10 games remaining to finish the season. The Namibian recorded four assists to his name, proving to be an important cog in the team's attack as well. He remains an anchor for Usuthu, and in January, he was linked with a big move to Kaizer Chiefs. Deon Hotto (Left wing-back, Orlando Pirates – Namibia) Operating tirelessly with pace on the left flank from left back to left wing, Hotto is proving to be one of those age-defying players. At 34, Hotto made 49 appearances for Pirates in all five competitions the Buccaneers participated in. That includes 25 in the league and 14 Champions League games, where he produced six goals and eight assists. He remains clubless after Pirates announced his release at the end of the season. Peter Shalulile (Centre forward, Mamelodi Sundowns – Namibia) Although his impact was way less than the season before, the 31-year-old Shalulile still shone for the Brazilians, scoring crucial goals when needed the most. He made a total of 47 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals with two assists. Lucas Ribeiro Costa (Second striker, Mamelodi Sundowns – Brazil) By far the best performing player in the PSL for the season, the Brazilian has more numbers on his. Playing 50 games in all competitions, he scored 21 goals and made 14 assists. Ribeiro's influence is with the ball at his feet, as he is able to take on defenders with ease and open up space for his teammates to slot into scoring spaces – if he doesn't score himself. However, the 26-year-old will need to work on his temper as he raked in 12 yellow cards as well. Andre de Jong (attacking midfielder, Stellenbosch FC – New Zealand) It is a tough one between the Kiwi and Marcelo Allende, who plays almost the same role at Sundowns, although De Jong enjoys a more free role compared to the Chilean, who finds himself behind the likes of Ribeiro Costa and Themba Zwane at Sundowns. As a result, De Jong found himself in front of goal more often. Among his eight-goal haul in all competitions, he scored four that pushed Stellenbosch to a historic semi-final place in their CAF Confederation Cup campaign. NB: Statistics show that the Premiership registered 81 foreign players last season.
