PSL clubs have always travelled the length and breadth of the African continent to attract top talent and in this feature, we look at some of the best foreign stars. Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs are the biggest clubs in the PSL as they are known for scouting the cream of the crop in the continent.
From the likes of Williams Okpara, Roger Feutmba, and Collins Mbesuma, the list is endless but we select a few to mention as they broke and set new records. While Sundowns have shifted their focus from bringing top stars from Africa, their scouting department seems to be more focused on the European and South American markets.
To quantify this, names worth mentioning are Marcelo Allende (Chile), Lucas Ribeiro (Brazil), and Tashreeq Mathews who joined from a European club.
Best Foreign Players to Grace the PSL Stage
Many will remember the Pirates’ 1995 CAF Champions League-winning star-studded line-up which had seasoned campaigners such as Okpara, Gavin Lane, and Mark Fish not forgetting Jerry Sikhosana.
PSL Foreign Stars
Roger Feutmba:
Nicknamed the General by Masandawana faithful, the burly Cameroonian midfield powerhouse was a household name in his heyday. Feutmba retired in 2002 after leading the Tshwane giants to three back-to-back PSL titles as well as the Rothmans Cup (1997-99).
Blessed with an educated left foot, the Indomitable Lions legend made things easy with his control and passing ability under the late Ted Dumitru. Still based in South Africa, Feutmba is known for his analysis and undying support for Sundowns.
Collins Mbesuma:
The big Zambian legend joined Amakhosi in 2004 and is one of the foreign stars who donned the big three jerseys. He turned out for Pirates and Sundowns but didn’t show the goalscoring prowess he did at Naturena. Mbesuma’s name is familiar or associated with the Operation Vat Alles era under Muhsin Ertugral.
He has a league gold medal with Chiefs and boasts two PSL Top Goalscorer gongs, he scored 25 goals in the 2004/05 season and 14 in the 2015/16 campaign.
At the same time, he is credited for making the Glamour Boys a powerhouse in the Southern African region. As a former AFCON winner with Chipolopolo, Ntofontofo is involved in coaching the South African lower tier with the Pretoria Callies.
Williams Okpara & Onyakechi Okonkwo:
Opkara holds the record for most appearances for Pirates with 375. Having retired, the former 1995 African champion was one of the most reliable keepers during his era. The big Nigerian has two PSL titles, three MTN8 cups, and one Nedbank Cup title with the Buccaneers.
Another Nigerian who made his name and set the PSL stage alight over two stints with the Bucs is none other than Okonkwo. Tiny in the frame, the midfield star was a fan darling with the Ghost and also played for Mpumalanga Black Aces. While he didn’t win any trophy with Pirates, he was crowned an African champion twice with Enyimba FC – he retired in 2020.
PSL Foreign Greats
Raphael Chukwu:
Nicknamed the Chukwu Train, the bulky Nigerian star was a fan darling to Masandawana and a menace to the opposing defenders. His name is popularly associated with the Rothmans Cup as he formed a deadly partnership with Daniel Mudau through beautiful passes from Feutmba.
The retired marksman is famed for his massive physique, raw strength, and goal-poaching prowess which saw him score 63 goals in 124 starts in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), winning three titles with Sundowns. The Nigerian striker was named PSL Footballer of the Year and Players’ Player of the Season in 1998 as a reward for his outstanding performances.
Knowledge Musona:
The Zimbabwean hitman remains one of the best signings made by Amakhosi in the PSL era. Also known as the Smiling Assasin, Musona was also a feared striker while on the books of the Naturena-based PSL giants.
He helped the club win the Telkom Knockout Cup in the 2010/11 season as well as taking the Absa Premiership Top Goalscorer Award after netting 15 goals in the same campaign. Now based in Belgium, the 33-year-old will be expected to lead the Warriors against Bafana Bafana in June during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Best Foreign PSL Player – Denis Onyango:
Born in Kampala, Onyango has clocked more than a decade in the PSL. He is credited for playing a massive role when Sundowns won the Champions League in 2016. He also boasts every trophy on offer in the domestic scene.
The 38-year-old former Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United keeper, has 10 PSL titles, three with SuperSport and seven with Kaboyellow. With rumours that he will retire at the end of the current season, there’s no doubt he will be offered a coaching or ambassadorial role at Chloorkop.
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