Orlando Pirates is one of the oldest and big clubs in South Africa soccer premier league.
They have been in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and were never relegated to the second division (Motsepe Foundation Championship) ever.
This brings us to how they’ve been, for so long, running the club successfully, financially.
So today, we’re looking at the club’s top 10 highest paid players for the 2022/23 season, to see who tops them all.
Pirates Top Earners
1. Deon Hotto
Hotto joined Orlando Pirates in 2020 and has been part of the club’s attacking force since and most importantly, their top earner-player. He is believed to be earning well over R500k per month salary at the club.
2. Kermit Erasmus
Kermit earned big salaries throughout his football career, from playing internationally to returning to the South African league. Erasmus is estimated to be getting well over R350k salary at Orlando Pirates this season.
3. Richard Ofori
Richard Ofori is an experienced Ghanaian international and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper among the top earners in the club. His estimated Pirates salary is R300k per month, according to reports.
4. Evidence Makgopa
Evidence Makgopa is making a name for himself as one of the greatest center forward in Mzansi’s football, having joined Pirates this season from Baroka FC. The talisman earns approximately R200k monthly.
5. Fortune Makaringe
Orlando Pirates has recently made a big splash in the transfer market, breaking their own transfer record fee to bring in two talented attacking midfielders. Fortune Makaringe is one signed from Maritzburg United for a combined R25m fee. His Pirates salary is estimated at R185k per month.
6. Vincent Pule
Vincent Pule ranks 7th on the list of Pirates’ highest-paid players. He is estimated to be earning about R170k per month based on his experience and the value he adds to the club. Pule is a South African football player who plays for Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates.
7. Innocent Maela
Maela has shown to be one of the best extraordinary defenders in the league. He has added value to his performance and prominence for the Bucs as well as the South African national team. He takes home R150k monthly, which equates to R1.8m annually.
8. Thagang Monare
Monare has been a regular starter for Orlando Pirates this season. While he might not have a lot of goals or assists, he likely contributes to the team’s play-making and midfield control. He is one of 4 players earning R150 000 a month.
9. Zakhele Lepasa
Zakhele Lepasa plays for both the Orlando Pirates and the South Africa national football team and has been a regular starter for the Bucs as a centre forward. His earnings are reportedly R150 000 per month.
10. Goodman Mosele (on-loan at Chippa)
Goodman Mosele, the 24-year-old South African midfielder, is currently on loan at Chippa United from Orlando Pirates. While his time at Orlando Pirates hasn’t been filled with starting appearances, his loan spell at Chippa United has been a breath of fresh air.
Unfortunately, Mosele is currently sidelined with an injury. His last game was in April. Mosele’s impressive loan spell could attract interest from other clubs seeking a strong midfielder. He earns at about R150 000 per month.
What is the Average Player Salary in PSL
In South Africa, players earn their salaries based on experience and the various values they add to each team. Players from the club’s development don’t earn as much salary as those the club buys from other teams.
The average player salary in PSL ranges between R30k to R300k per month, depending on the terms of the contract that season. It’s like any other job opportunity, once you gain more experience and your services are noticed by other companies, you’re likely to move and earn higher salaries in the future.