Richards Bay, Polokwane looking to reach next level in PSL

POLOKWANE City and Richards Bay enter the 2025/26 season from contrasting backgrounds but yet with almost similar goals, to navigate their way to the next and higher level of the Betway Premiership.

- OBAKENG MELETSE HERMAN GIBBS

Polokwane have in the past two seasons finished in the Top8 and will look to grow some silverware pedigree while Bay will want to not only stay away from the relegation zome but also enter that top half.

POLOKWANE to build on steady growth and rising ambition

Club name: Polokwane City

Club owner: Johnny Mogaladi

Head coach: Phuti Mohafe

Highest ever finish: Fifth

Competitions participating in: Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup and Carling Knockout Cup

Silverware chances: None

Polokwane City have proven to be a stable and competitive outfit in the Premiership since making their topflight return in the 2023/24 season.

The Limpopo-based side has managed back-to-back top-eight finishes over the past two campaigns, a testament to their steady growth and rising ambition.

Heading into the new 2025/26 season, there is a quiet optimism around the club.

Their performances last season gave reason for encouragement, especially in the early stages when they sat as high as third on the log.

However, their strong start was undone by a disappointing drop-off in the latter half of the season, with consistency in front of goal proving to be their undoing.

One of the biggest talking points around City is the departure of star midfielder Oswin Appollis, who completed a high-profile move to Orlando Pirates during the off-season.