PSL Reserve League

DStv Diski Challenge
Organising body	Premier Soccer League
Founded	2014; 10 years ago
Countries	South Africa
Number of clubs	16
League cup(s)	Diski Challenge Shield
Current champions	Stellenbosch FC U23; (2nd title)
Most championships	Golden Arrows; (2 titles)
TV partners	Supersport
	Current: 2024-25 PSL Reserve League

The PSL Reserve League also known as DStv Diski Challenge^[1] for sponsorship reason, is the youth reserve team league for the top South African football (soccer) teams in the Premier Soccer League.^[2]

History

Establishment

PSL Reserve League was established in 2014 by Multichoice to develop Youth football in South Africa. It has developed many players for the senior teams and some having to represent the national team. Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates the most clubs who have developed young players and become football superstars. The likes of Keegan Dolly who have played in France for Ligue 1 side Montpellier, Percy Tau also played for Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion FC,^[3] Sphelele Mkhulise are all the products of Mamelodi Sundowns. Kaizer Chiefs are no strangers in developing young players as they have done so in the past before the Reserve League was formed. Njabulo Blom who now plays in MLS in the USA.^[4] Siyabonga Ngezana who plays in Romanian League for FCSB.^[5] Orlando Pirates have also have produced a star player of their own Lyle Foster who plays for Premier league side Burnely FC^[6]

Format

When the reserve league was formed in 2014, all 16 teams were placed in two groups of 8 teams. Top 4 qualified for knockout stages, quarterfinals, Semi-finals and finals.

That all changed in 2017/18 season, adopting a two-round home and away league basic. All teams to play 30 games, 15 home games and 15 away games. The team with the most points wins the league.

Sponsorship

PSL Reserve League was sponsored by Multichoice Company from 2017/18 season to 2019/20 season, it was known as Multichoice Diski Challenge. In the 2020/2021 Season DStv announced that they were going to sponsor South African Premier Division as well as PSL Reserve League.^[7]

Broadcasting

The DStv Diski Challenge is broadcast by Supersport every weekends. Supersport only show 4 matches, 2 on Saturdays and 2 on Sundays.^[8]

Champions

Season	Champions
2014/15	Amatuks U21
2015/16	Golden Arrows U21
2016/17	Mamelodi Sundowns U21
2017/18	Golden Arrows U21
2018/19	Bloemfontein Celtic U21
2019/20	Bidvest Wits U21
2020/21	AmaZulu U23
2021/22	Stellenbosch FC U23
2022/23	Supersport United U23
2023/24	Stellenbosch FC U23

References

^ "PSL giants open reserve league weekend". SowetanLIVE. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
^ Kent, Sofie; Devonport, Tracey J.; Lane, Andrew M.; Nicholls, Wendy. "Figures 1-3 supplentatary to the article 'Implementing a pressure training program to improve decision-making and execution of skill among premier league academy soccer players.'". Figures 1-3 supplentatary to the article 'Implementing a pressure training program to improve decision-making and execution of skill among premier league academy soccer players.'. doi:10.46289/nsfg7436. S2CID 245266376. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
^ Jaggarao, N S V; Sless, H; Grainger, R; Vincent, R; Chamberlain, D A (15 May 1982). "Defibrillation at a football stadium: an experiment with Brighton and Hove Albion". BMJ. 284 (6327): 1451–1453. doi:10.1136/bmj.284.6327.1451. ISSN 0959-8138. PMC 1498347. PMID 6805564.
^ "Daily Maverick - South African news, opinion and investigations". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
^ Rosner, Andrzej (June 2023), "Wieś i przestrzeń wiejska za 20 lat. Co jest zdeterminowane, co prawdopodobne, a co (i dlaczego) niepewne", Polska wieś 2044. Wizja rozwoju, Instytut Rozwoju Wsi i Rolnictwa PAN, pp. 127–132, doi:10.53098/978-83-89900-71-5_19, ISBN 978-83-89900-71-5, retrieved 21 December 2023
^ Kuper, Simon (31 December 2009). "Bafana Bafana - hvordan fotball skaper en nasjon". Samtiden. 118 (4): 18–25. doi:10.18261/issn1890-0690-2009-04-04. ISSN 0036-3928.
^ "Premier Soccer League - www.psl.co.za - official website". www.psl.co.za. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
^ Kent, Sofie; Devonport, Tracey J.; Lane, Andrew M.; Nicholls, Wendy. "Figures 1-3 supplentatary to the article 'Implementing a pressure training program to improve decision-making and execution of skill among premier league academy soccer players.'". Figures 1-3 supplentatary to the article 'Implementing a pressure training program to improve decision-making and execution of skill among premier league academy soccer players.'. doi:10.46289/nsfg7436. S2CID 245266376. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

[SowetanLIVE_2020-1] "PSL giants open reserve league weekend". SowetanLIVE. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.

[2] Kent, Sofie; Devonport, Tracey J.; Lane, Andrew M.; Nicholls, Wendy. "Figures 1-3 supplentatary to the article 'Implementing a pressure training program to improve decision-making and execution of skill among premier league academy soccer players.'". Figures 1-3 supplentatary to the article 'Implementing a pressure training program to improve decision-making and execution of skill among premier league academy soccer players.'. doi:10.46289/nsfg7436. S2CID 245266376. Retrieved 21 December 2023.

[3] Jaggarao, N S V; Sless, H; Grainger, R; Vincent, R; Chamberlain, D A (15 May 1982). "Defibrillation at a football stadium: an experiment with Brighton and Hove Albion". BMJ. 284 (6327): 1451–1453. doi:10.1136/bmj.284.6327.1451. ISSN 0959-8138. PMC 1498347. PMID 6805564.

[4] "Daily Maverick - South African news, opinion and investigations". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 21 December 2023.

[5] Rosner, Andrzej (June 2023), "Wieś i przestrzeń wiejska za 20 lat. Co jest zdeterminowane, co prawdopodobne, a co (i dlaczego) niepewne", Polska wieś 2044. Wizja rozwoju, Instytut Rozwoju Wsi i Rolnictwa PAN, pp. 127–132, doi:10.53098/978-83-89900-71-5_19, ISBN 978-83-89900-71-5, retrieved 21 December 2023

[6] Kuper, Simon (31 December 2009). "Bafana Bafana - hvordan fotball skaper en nasjon". Samtiden. 118 (4): 18–25. doi:10.18261/issn1890-0690-2009-04-04. ISSN 0036-3928.

[7] "Premier Soccer League - www.psl.co.za - official website". www.psl.co.za. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2023.

[8] Kent, Sofie; Devonport, Tracey J.; Lane, Andrew M.; Nicholls, Wendy. "Figures 1-3 supplentatary to the article 'Implementing a pressure training program to improve decision-making and execution of skill among premier league academy soccer players.'". Figures 1-3 supplentatary to the article 'Implementing a pressure training program to improve decision-making and execution of skill among premier league academy soccer players.'. doi:10.46289/nsfg7436. S2CID 245266376. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

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