Football is highly rewarding for those who excel at it as they enjoy lucrative contracts that pay them huge salaries, as well as sign endorsement deals with top companies due to the thousands of fans who follow their every move daily.
The salaries being paid to some of the Absa Premier League players definitely are a reflection that soccer pays petty well and one can comfortably live off it.
Despite the veil of secrecy around footballers’ salaries in South Africa, clubs in SA are privately owned and have no obligation to disclose details such as salaries.
Diski365 however was able to dig around to verify what some of the Premier League clubs are paying to their top personnel.
The average salary for PSL players is between R100 000 – R120 000 per month, making the standard yearly wage a cool R1.2 – R1.5 million.
1.Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs)
Khama Billiat became the Absa Premiership’s highest earner after securing a move to Kaizer Chiefs from rivals Mamelodi Sundowns. Billiat earns about R6m per season translating to a base salary of around R500,000 per month after tax. Billiat commands such a high salary because of his free transfer from Sundowns meaning he was able to negotiate a huge signing-on fee and salary. His monthly wage is R833 333 before tax is eight times more than the average salary in the league.
Billiat even had the temerity to turn down another offer from Egyptian side Zamalek who were prepared to pay him an annual salary of $450 000 (R6 050 000).
2.Itumelung Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)
The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper who is currently experiencing an indifferent season blighted by injuries is reportedly earning around R480 000 per month.
3.Anthony Laffor (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Liberian and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Anthony Laffor has fallen down the pecking order at the Chloorkop after undergoing knee surgery in March. He is however smiling all the way to the bank with a cool R380 000 per month.
4.Siyanda Xulu (Maritzburg United)
The former Mamelodi Sundowns defender now turns out for Maritzburg United and is earning R350 000 per month. Astint in Europe in the Russian league proved too tough before the return to turn out for Maritzburg United.
5.Elias Pelembe (Bidvest Wits)
Pelembe’s fortunes are definitely on the wane after making just one appearance for Bidvest Wits this season. Pelembe is reportedly on a R320 000 per month despite failing to command a starting place in the squad.
6.Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs) R300 000 per month
7.Dean Furman (Supersport United) R300 000 per month
8.Oupa Manyisa (Mamelodi Sundowns) R250 000 per month
The highest earner at Orlando Pirates is skipper Happy Jele who has been at the club for more than a decade. Jele earns around R160,000 per month, which translates to R2m a year.
By Gerald Dandah
