The clever BOYS

KEY PLAYER

Tyson has grown into an important figure for Wits: a good leader, he is solid at the back and pops up with the occasional goal – especially in tight situations. He was Defender-of- the-Season in the last campaign and clearly still has a lot to offer. His positive attitude and high work rate makes him an asset. COACH The five-time Coach-ofthe-Season does not only know how to win the league but also how to retain it. He led SuperSport United to a trio of successive league titles. Having won Wits their maiden championship in 96 years (at his fourth time of trying), he will be looking to use that expertise to ensure the Clever Boys rule again. STRENGTHS Pound-forpound theirs is arguably the strongest squad as was evidenced by their ability to replace any player with an equally competent one last season. For example Gabadinho Mhango and Eleazer Rodgers led the attack early in the season while Phakamani Mahlambi and James Keene finished things off later. They are big on team effort too as almost every player came with a crucial contribution. Also hard to beat at home – just two defeats in 15 league matches. WEAKNESSES They tended to drop points easily last season and that failure to be consistently ruthless as per their abilities ensured they were pushed all the way by an overworked Sundowns. They will need to put away opponents instead of letting the door open like they did in the previous campaign. GOOD SEASON Retaining the championship of course. But perhaps even better would be reaching the Caf Champions League group stage to dispel the generally held notion that they don’t take continental football seriously. BAD SEASON After winning two trophies, the MTN8 and the Absa Premiership, last season, a silverware-less season will be deemed a failure. They also have to at least make the top three in the league. SQUAD Goalkeepers: Moeneeb Josephs, Darren Keet, Sanele Tshabalala and Kyle Peters Defenders: Bokang Tlhone, Nazeer Allie, Sifiso Hlanti, Anthony Gordinho, Slavko Damjanovic, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Reeve Frosler, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Markus Lecki and Bongani Khumalo Midfielders: Sifiso Myeni, Vincent Pule, Elias Pelembe, Phumlani Ntshangase, Xola Mlambo, Steven Pienaar, Daylon Claasen, Thabang Monare, Daine Klate, Wangu Gome, Ben Motshwari, Jabu Shongwe, Granwald Scott, Kobamelo Kodisang and Liam Jordan Strikers: James Keene, Phakamani Mahlambi, Gabadinho Mhango, Gerald Phiri and Eleazer Rodgers PSL RECORD Best: Champions in 2016 Worst: Relegated in 2005

v CT City @ Bidvest Stadium, 8pm

v FS Stars @ Goble Park, 7.30pm

v Arrows @ Bidvest Stadium, 7.30pm

v Chiefs @ FNB Stadium, 6pm

v AmaZulu @ King Zwelithini Stadium, 7.30pm

v Pirates @ Bidvest Stadium, 6pm

v Celtic @ Dr Molemela Stadium, 3pm

v SuperSport @ Bidvest Stadium, 3pm

v Baroka @ Peter Mokaba Stadium, 3.30pm v Chippa @ Bidvest Stadium, 7.30pm v Sundowns @ Bidvest Stadium, 7.30pm v Maritzburg @ Harry Gwala Stadium, 8pm v Ajax @ Bidvest Stadium, 7.30pm v Polokwane @ Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, 3.30pm Plat Stars @ Bidvest Stadium, 8.15pm

v FS Stars @ Bidvest Stadium, 8pm

v Chippa @ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 3.30pm

v Celtic @ Bidvest Stadium, 8pm

v SuperSport @ Lucas Moripe Stadium 8.15pm

v Chiefs @ Bidvest Stadium, 6pm

v Arrows @ Princess Magogo Stadium, 7.30pm

v CT City @ Athlone Stadium, 6pm v Baroka @ Bidvest Stadium, 8pm v Sundowns @ Loftus Versfeld, 3.30pm

v Maritzburg @ Bidvest Stadium, 7.30pm

v Ajax @ Cape Town Stadium, 8pm

v Polokwane @ Bidvest Stadium, 8pm

v Pirates @ Orlando Stadium, 7.30pm v AmaZulu @ Bidvest Stadium, 7,30pm v Plat Stars @ Royal Bafokeng Sport Palace, 3pm

v Cape Town City @ Cape Town Stadium, 7.30pm

v Wits @ FNB Stadium, 6pm

v Maritzburg @ Harry Gwala Stadium, 7.30pm

v Arrows @ FNB Stadium, 8:15pm

v Baroka @ Moses Mabhida Stadium, 6pm October

v Sundowns @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 7.30pm

v Pirates @ FNB Stadium, 3.30pm

v Polokwane @ Peter Mokaba Stadium, 7.30pm November

v AmaZulu @ King Zwelithini Stadium, 7.30pm

v FS Stars @ Moses Mabhida Stadium, 6pm

Straight out of the frying pan and into the fire. That’s how to best describe Komphela’s third and potentially final season at Chiefs. Two trophyless seasons have kept him under pressure, which he says he is thriving in. The fans though no longer want to hear him declare that he is bullet proof, but rather crave to see Amakhosi end their trophy drought. STRENGTHS They have the best goalkeeper in the country and captain Itumeleng Khune will likely prove a key factor to their success. Had it not been for the Bafana Bafana keeper’s crucial saves last season, it is possible that Amakhosi would have finished even lower than fifth place. WEAKNESSES Incredibly inconsistent, and there was evidence of that several times in Komphela’s first and second year with winning streaks abruptly coming to an end and Chiefs falling off the pace in the PSL race. The back four was also an Achilles heel as the club conceded late goals in critical phases of matches to drop points, especially in games when Khune was out injured. GOOD SEASON Win a trophy and finish in the top three. The expectations are obviously higher, but anything above that would really be a bonus, considering how Chiefs have fared under Komphela. BAD SEASON A repeat of the previous two years would be catastrophic and would no doubt end any hopes of Komphela getting a new contract. Even if they reached all domestic Cup finals and missed winning the championship on the final day, another season without a trophy would be a nightmare. SQUAD Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Brilliant Khuzwayo and Bruce Bvuma Defenders: Eric Mathoho, Lorenzo Gordinho, Teenage Hadebe, Tsepo Masilela, Sibusiso Khumalo, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Sibongiseni Ngcobo, Daniel Cardoso, Siyabonga Ngezana, Kgotso Moleko, Midfielders: Willard Katsande, George Maluleka, Wiseman Meyiwa, Hendrik Ekstein, Joseph Molangoane, Philani Zulu, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Edmore Chirambadare, Keagan Buchanan, William Twala, Bhongolwethu Jayiya Strikers: Ryan Moon, Bernard Parker, Emmanuel Letlotlo, Dumisani Zuma, Gustavo Paez PSL RECORD Best position: Champions in 2004, 2005, 2013 and 2015 Worst position: Ninth in 2007 – v Chippa @ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 7.30pm v Platinum Stars @ Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 6pm v Ajax @ FNB Stadium, 8:15pm

v SuperSport @ Mbombela Stadium, 6pm

v Polokwane City @ FNB Stadium, 8:15pm

v Baroka FC @ Peter Mokaba Stadium, 3.30pm

v Sundowns @ FNB Stadium, 3.30pm v Wits @ Bidvest Stadium, 6pm v CT City @ FNB Stadium, 7.30pm v Celtic @ Moses Mabhida Stadium, 8:15pm v Pirates @ FNB Stadium, 3.30pm v AmaZulu @ FNB Stadium, 6pm v FS Stars @ Goble Park, 7.30pm v Chippa @ FNB Stadium, 3pm v Plat Stars @ FNB Stadium, 8:15pm v Arrows @ Princess Magogo Stadium, 7.30pm v Maritzburg @ FNB Stadium, 7.30pm v Ajax @ Cape Town Stadium, 3pm COACH With an unquestionable high work rate and what he produced at Cape Town City last season still fresh in memory, Tinkler has already made a lasting impression on his new group of players. He has a better quality squad now and is well aware of the high expectations – but he’s made for the pressure. STRENGTHS Tinkler has inherited a hard-working squad from Stuart Baxter, with the club being able to hold on to their core players as only defender Michael Boxall was allowed to leave. So no one really needs to adapt to new surroundings and the coach can work his magic with relative comfort. WEAKNESSES Brockie might need a little bit of the load taken off him this season. When he wasn’t firing and Bradley Grobler was still on the mend, goals were hard to come by and that is where SuperSport probably lost the league – along with an incredible high number of draws. More match-winners need to step up. GOOD SEASON Winning the league, it’s a simple as that. SuperSport have been coming close for several seasons now and winning the odd domestic trophy. Although some might feel Tinkler will need a bit more time, maybe one season to aim for that target, the fact they have kept the same squad as last season means they can definitely challenge for the league title. BAD SEASON A barren campaign could spell the end of Tinkler’s tenure. Winning domestic cups is a habit and the new coach is expected to continue the trend and ensure Matsatsantsa remain the perennial challengers they have been. SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Reyaad Pieterse Defenders: Clayton Daniels, Morgan Gould, Tefu Mashamaite, Denwin Farmer, Thato Mokeke, Onismor Bhasera, Keegan Ritchie, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Grant Kekana, Midfielders: Aubrey Modiba, Dean Furman, Cole Alexander, Teboho Mokoena, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Sipho Mbule Strikers: Dove Wome, Thabo Mnyamane, Thuso Phala, Jeremy Brockie, Kingston Nkhatha, Bradley Grobler, Prince Dube and Fagrie Lakay PSL RECORD Best position: Champions in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Worst position: 14th in 1998 SQUAD Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango, Razak Brimah, Kennedy Mweene and Thela Ngobeni Defenders: Ricardo Nascimento, Soumahoro Bangaly, Thabo Nthethe, Motjeka Madisha, Asavela Mbekile, Wayne Arendse, Anele Ngcongca, Thapelo Morena, Tebogo Langerman, Fares Hachi and Siyanda Zwane Midfielders: Mogakolodi Ngele, Flavio Bento, Hlompho Kekana, Sibusiso Kumalo, Mzikayise Mashaba, Themba Zwane, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Mzikayise Mashaba, Anthony Laffor, Oupa Manyisa, George Lebese and Lucky Mohomi Strikers: Leonardo Castro, Fiston Abdul Razak, Khama Billiat, Cuthbert Malajila, Percy Tau and Yannick Zakri PSL RECORD Best Champions in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2014 and 2016 Worst 10th in 2013