Š”‹ŽŽ• ‹ Œ—‹‘”• –‘—”‡›
ONE of the fresh-faced newcomers in the MTN Premier League this season, Seven Dreams, have been relegated with two games to spare.
It is no situation a team wants to find itself in. Following a scattergun approach in the transfer market, they have been rock bottom for the better part of the season.
Statistics show there are a number of cast-iron rules when it comes to staying up in the Premier League.
The first thing to do after promotion is to evaluate if your squad is good enough to compete at a higher level.
This is where you have to ignore your sentimentality towards players and be ruthless on your squad where needed!
The team originally from Mankayane (now based at Mahlanya) shot themselves on the foot after failing to bring on board players ready for the big challenge ahead.
Importance
Though it was important to keep the heart and spirit of the team that won promotion, the importance of the addition of Premier League experience could not be underestimated.
For Seven Dreams, the biggest mistake in recruitment was bringing on board former and current Premier League players who have long reached their sell-by-date.
This included the likes of Jerome
MBABANE – Youngsters were a marvel to watch during a one-day tournament in the past week.
About a week ago, the Sigwaca House in Mbabane hosted a media briefing for the one-day tournament that featured Under-10 boys and Under-15 girls on Saturday at the Supply Centre Sports Ground.
It was discussed that the tournament would have a focal point of view on the ladies department, as they are still trying to grow their numbers in football in the country. It was styled ‘Let’s Keep Her Clean’.
Mfundo Ndlela, who is the Chairman of the Juniors Competitions Committee made reference to the tournament where the ladies specifically will be afforded countless opportunities in efforts of growing football under the women code, through such tournaments that are said to run at least three times a year.
Good
The turnout was very good, according to Sibonangaye Dlamini, who is the Hhohho Regional Football Association (HRFA) Youth Development Officer. He mentioned that parents were very helpful in supporting their children, as much as
Ntshalintshali and Phumlani Ngwenya from the security forces.
These players now just play football for fun.
At least Seven Dreams knew that as a newly-promoted side, their finances will be severely lacking compared to the opposition.
Therefore, this was not the time to invest in wonder kids who will potentially come good in five years’ time.
So they needed to only sign players who will improve their squad immediately.
They needed to aim for players at their peak. When signing the fringe 30+ year-olds, they forgot that their physical attributes could drop significantly when they suffered an injury.
However, their good mental attributes some could not stay for the whole tournament, but the fact that they were able to bring their children to the tournament showed that they supported their endeavours. Mbabane Swallows’ Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko bought a box of sanitary pads for the ladies, as well as two pairs of girl’s school shoes.
Decided
It was decided that the pairs would be donated to the children with the most needs. This goes a long way for the children as Nhleko is a well-respected player on and off the field; he has a unique way with children, especially those who play football.
He sometimes helps out with the Mbabane Swallows’ junior squads, where in one of the Under-17s tournaments that were played at Msunduza Sports Ground, the experienced winger would be spotted giving instructions to the junior team.
“We are very happy with the turnout, as the children came in their numbers. We thank the parents for permitting their children to be part of the tournament,” said the chairman during the course of the tournament.
Meanwhile, efforts are still being made to start a regional league for the ladies. can prove invaluable when you are on a bad run and the squad’s morale is low.
Remember
The most important thing for a newly-promoted club to remember is to play to your own strengths.
It is all well and good being able to score goals, but more often than not Premier League points are won by sound defensive performances rather than impressive attacking displays.
A newly-promoted team must be able to defend effectively; otherwise any goal scoring prowess could quickly become irrelevant.
Conceding 52 goals in 24 games was too much.
The least said about their attack, the better. They have scored only 10 goals so far.
We all have different ideas for playing football in a manner that is pleasing to our eyes.
However, as a newly-promoted side, it will be ill-advised jumping in the deep end using fancy roles.
Instead, keep your tactics simple, defending deep and hitting teams on the counter.
Seven Dreams lack that good defensive midfielder who will sit in front of the defence and thwart attacks together with fast wingers or strikers.
When it comes to the coaching personnel, the numbers also do not make for riveting reading for Seven Dreams.
In an industry where longevity is the rarest of commodities, they had no less than three coaches, with the seasoned Gcina Dlamini among those at the dugout at some point before his unexpected departure.
Statistics show changing coaches rarely saves teams from ‘fate worse than death’.
Also failing to preserve their Premier League status after round 24 were Tambankulu Callies who suffered a 1-2 loss to Manzini Wanderers.
It was a disastrous season for the side that had earned themselves ‘giant killers’ status in the past season to finish inside the top six.
Easier
They have been here before, but that does not make their restructuring a little bit easier.
They are no ordinary team after producing Premier League stars who include Mbabane Swallows’ duo of defender Sifiso Mabila and forward Sandile Hlatshwako. Like Seven Dreams, they were not only shy in front of goal but had a porous defence.
They have scored 13 goals so far while letting in 37.
Losing some of their seasoned campaigners who included sharpshooter Neliso Myeni made things difficult for the Lubombo-based side. The setback comes at a time when they have just unveiled a Gabonese Co-Director, who has been identified as Armaud Oyiba.
For the Lubombo folk, it is a blow in their hopes of watching football closer from home.
This leaves Madlenya and Tambuti the only teams in top flight football from the east.
In sport, you will always face moments of great disappointment but it is how you react that defines you.
So, it is reflection time for both teams and it is an opportunity to come back strongly from the National First Division.