Premier Soccer League: Remembering Ajax Cape Town and 4 Other Legendary Sides

• Ajax Cape Town almost won the league in 2010/11 but were beaten to the title on the final day by Orlando Pirates
• Ria Ledwaba's Ria Stars were disbanded after the Premier Soccer League reduced the team numbers from 18 to 16
• Witbank Black Aces were formed by some dairy farmers in 1937 and won the Bob Save Super Bowl and Top Eight

South African football has been graced by many popular football sides over the years. Some sides still compete today, while others have faded into obscurity over time.

Some, in the tradition of South African football, were bought by another side and had their names changed.

Sports Brief looks at five sides that no longer compete in the Premier Soccer League.

Ajax Cape Town:

Ajax Amsterdam, created a new franchise in 1999, merging with two Cape sides. The Dutch giants held a 50 per cent stake in the new club, while Seven Stars and Cape Town Spurs held the other 50 per cent between them.

FC Porto legends: Top 10 all-time greats for the Dragons

Football

The side was made up of a combination of the best players from the side and almost won the league title in 2010/11. Nicknamed the Urban Warriors, it featured talented players like Hans Vonk, Moeneeb Josephs, and Thulani Serero.

Even former Liverpool player, Sander Westerveld, featured for the team. Sadly, after issues between the directors, the club known as Ajax was no more and is now known as Cape Town Spurs again.

Spurs will compete in the DStv Premiership next season after winning the Promotion Playoffs, Soccer Laduma reported.

Ria Stars:

Formed in 1989, Ria Stars finished seventh in the league in 2001 in their debut in the top flight. Sadly, that was the highlight of the side, as they only continued for another season before being disbanded.

As noted by the PSL website, the league sought to reduce the number of teams competing from 18 to 16. Businesswoman, Ria Ledwaba’s side and Free State Stars were the two casualties of the decision.

Club Brugge legends: Top 10 all-time greats for the Blauw-Zwart

Football

Ledwaba didn’t end her journey in football there and even became the Vice President of the South African Football Association. She also unsuccessfully challenged Danny Jordaan for the top post in the recent elections.

Moroka Swallows:

One of the Soweto giants, Moroka Swallows, were a force to be reckoned with in the NPSL, NSL, and PSL eras. While they never won a championship, the club - formed in 1947 - was always a staple of South African football.

Sadly, they were relegated in 2015 and tumbled out of the professional ranks. They eventually closed down due to the debt which was piling up.

As noted by SuperSport, Swallows FC - which competes in the DStv Premiership - does not use the 'Moroka' name to avoid the old club’s outstanding debts.

Witbank Black Aces:

One of the success stories of South African football, Black Aces, was founded by a group of dairy workers in 1937.

Celtic legends: Who are the top 10 all-time greats for the Bhoys

Football

The club, who were also known as Mpumalanga Black Aces at one stage, were relegated in the first official PSL season in 1996-97. While they never held league honours, they did win the Bob Save Super Bowl and Top Eight.

In 2016, the franchise was sold to John Comitis, Soccer Laduma reported, and became Cape Town City. City finished fourth in the DStv Premiership last season.

Wits University:

The Clever Boys are among the few now-defunct sides that have won the PSL title.

The side gained promotion in 1975 but only managed to bag their first title in 2017 under the name Bidvest Wits. By then, the university no longer owned the side.

In 2020, the club was sold and became Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM). TTM then sold their status to Marumo Gallants, who were relegated last season to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Former Bidvest Wits CEO, Jose Ferreira, explained the decision to sell the club was not due to finances, but more due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Goal reported.