Latest news with #Makamo
The Star
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
PSL must do much better next season after disruptive campaign
Mihlali Baleka | Published 8 hours ago Final Whistle Column The teething problems were there even before the season officially got underway, but the masses held their breath, hoping for everything to fall into place. But it wasn't to be. The PSL was brought about disrepute throughout the season, so much so that there'll be better expectations next season. Perhaps the fact that the majority of the fans are not rating the design of the new Premiership trophy by Nelson Makamo sums up this season. Makamo was heavily criticised for his design when the new cup was unveiled last Sunday, with naysayers linking it with the infamous hookah pipes. The renowned designer tried to justify himself, saying that he got the idea for the trophy through his ancestors as he wanted to produce something iconic. But the football masses, including yours truly, are having none of that, as his instinctive design didn't align with football heritage often portrayed through silverware. Makamo, also, is just unfortunate that he has suddenly become a sacrificial lamb as some of us have been there even before the start to see the signs of a ticking bomb. The multi-billion rand Premiership was initially shaken when broadcasting giants DStv pulled out as the main sponsor of top-flight football at the 11th hour amid financial struggles. That all but forced PSL head honcho Irvin Khoza to find an immediate solution, and thanks to his impeccable leadership, it wasn't long that the product attracted interest. In the end, though, it was betting heavyweights Betway that won the bid of being the league's main sponsor, changing how some people viewed sports betting. But that wouldn't deter the overall feeling that Khoza had hit a jackpot by bringing Betway on board, given their vast financial power and growth over the years. Betway and the PSL, however, said, at the time, that they were not yet ready to reveal the championship trophy as they were still in discussion with a few top designers for expert input. In the end, it was Makamo that won the bid. The revered designer got a lot of stick from the masses after his masterpiece wasn't deemed worth it for a football competition. But be that as it may, the PSL's season was already rocked, largely due to the expulsion of Royal AM, whose season had to be declared null and void. Royal AM brought the league into disrepute after the club's president, Shauwn Mkhize, owed money to SARS, resulting in the curator taking over assets, including the football club. And with Mkhize unable to pay the curator the sum of R40 million, that led to the curator putting up the club for sale, resulting in the no payments as the PSL also froze grants. And after no entity successfully bought Royal AM early this year, the PSL Board of Governors had no choice but to vote in favour of the expulsion of Thwihli Thwahla. It was a dark time for those who were under the payroll of the club, but not its owners and the management team, as they brought the league into disrepute from the outset. When Royal AM joined the elite league, they made a mockery of its professionalism, paying player bonuses on the pitch, fighting with fellow officials and turning stands into parties. And so their questionable deeds finally caught up with the club, but it's unfortunate that it was at the expense of the league and its stakeholders, Betway and Nedbank. Right now, there's a pending case regarding the improper registration of Sifiso Magawana by NFD log leaders Durban City, hence their automatic promotion has been put on pause. It is not the first time that the PSL have been embroiled in a promotion saga related due to improper registration, so that's a story for another day. But overall, it's been a disruptive season for the PSL in the top-flight, so expectations will be rife for things to improve significantly next season.
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
The PSL's newly designed trophy gets mixed reactions from fans
'When you look at all the trophies, they hardly include two important figures: the player and a supporter,' shared Makamo. 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 — 🅿️🅿️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 🔥 — 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. — 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
TimesLIVE
19-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Fans slate new ‘hubbly bubbly' trophy, Sundowns' Zwane, Onyango say it's ‘beautiful'
Described by its creator, Nelson Makamo, as a 'love letter to football', the new Betway Premiership trophy has met with a mixed reaction. The new piece of silverware has been heavily slammed by football fans after its introduction to the public on Sunday, especially on social media, with some likening it to a 'hubbly bubbly' smoking device. Some players of the first recipients of the trophy, Mamelodi Sundowns, said they view it as a masterpiece after being presented it after winning their final Premiership game of 2024-25 2-0 against Magesi FC at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday evening. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso with the Betway Premiership trophy. — Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) May 18, 2025 Two Sundowns veterans, Themba Zwane and Denis Onyango, said the trophy was 'beautiful' with the former admitting it was heavy. 'Well, every trophy comes with its own shape, but it's heavy, hey. I think it's heavy like the cheque they gave us,' Onyango said after the game, where Makamo carried the new trophy onto the field in a case before unveiling it to the television cameras and crowd. 🏆 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕨𝕒𝕪 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕙𝕪 🏆 A reveal of the #BetwayPrem trophy! 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 2⃣➖0⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐢 🚨 LIVE 📺 SABC 1 📱 #SABCSportFootball — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 18, 2025 'But for me, what's important is for the team to have that medal. The medals are very nice, the trophy is also nice, don't take me out of line. The trophy is nice, the money is also nice and the season has been good. 'So, for me it is all about getting what the sponsors are giving us and that we are the first team to see it and to lift it is incredible.' Zwane, who became the first captain to lift it, told SABC Sport: 'It's a beautiful trophy but it's heavy, I think I must do the gym more.' After all the donations we made to them, betway took the whole season to design a hubbly bubbly trophy for #BetwayPrem 😭 — His Excellency (@eemz_em) May 18, 2025 Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso also had a positive view of the trophy and said it has a special meaning for Downs as it reflects the hard work they put in this season. 'Before winning the players [over, after the Cardoso's technical team's arrival in December], we had to win the man and this trophy is a pure example of that and this trophy has a special meaning.' A twisted hand from hell holding up a bunch of demons playing volleyball. Yaah Neh, can't believe this is a soccer cup. More like a "Cup of wrath!" — Star💫 (@ThapeloKeStar) May 18, 2025 Makamo described the trophy as honouring everyone who has contributed to the game. 'It's a tribute to where we come from, who we are and where we are going,' he said. However, the trophy has been slammed by supporters on social media, many asking if this was the best Makamo could produce. How much did you pay for this hubbly — Jabu (@Jabu11909576) May 18, 2025 'For 12 months and that was his 'best "? @Connie.M-Wa-Mokgatlha asked on X. ' Ai, this guy must never design anything ever again, especially the trophy @khosichillboy said. This is the fifth edition of the trophy since PSL started in 1996.
