Title chase X-factor players … injection of invention for a celebration

CAPE TOWN: With it shaping up to be a tense, extremely tight finish in the race to be crowned champions of the Absa Premiership this season, the destination of the PSL trophy is likely to depend on how the contenders react during critical, match-defining situations.

While it is a given that team work is crucial to any club with designs on the title, the difference between winning and losing often hinges on exciting, flair individuals – players with the X-factor, who are able to craft something out of nothing, capable of turning a hopeless situation into a goal-scoring one.

The winners will emerge from one of Cape Town City, Bidvest Wits, Kaizer Chiefs or defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, and each have a footballer with the required X-factor.

LEBOGANG MANYAMA Cape Town City

Arguably, the best player on show in the PSL this season, the City skipper has been at his creative best and is the cog around which the Cape side’s success turns.

Blessed with an instinctive eye for an opening, superb, tricky feet and clinical finishing to boot, if City are to win the league title, then, rest assured, Manyama will have a huge say in the outcome.

But, while the influential footballer’s individual quality is crucial, it’s also his interplay and combination with teammates that make City such a deadly team.

Manyama, in tandem with players like Aubrey Ngoma and Bhongolethu Jayiya, provides a real headache for opposition defences.

PERCY TAU Mamelodi Sundowns

If there is to be a player challenging Manyama for the PSL Player of the Year award, it is likely to be 22-year-old Tau.

The Sundowns striker has really come to prominence this season and was particularly brilliant as the Pretoria club showered glory on the local game by winning the prestigious African Champions League.

It’s not just Tau’s goals that caught the eye, it’s also his all-round, energetic and intelligent play that endeared him to football followers.

If Sundowns are to go all the way and win the PSL title again, Tau’s perfor mances could well prove to be the catalyst for such a triumph.

PHAKAMANI MAHLAMBI Bidvest Wits

There is no questioning the talent and ability of 19-year-old Mahlambi.

The Clever Boys’ winger is a special footballer, with pace, dribbling skill and confidence to burn.

If there is a question mark, though, it has to do with his inconsistency, but considering he has recently returned from a lengthy injury, the consistent performances will come with time. Against City on Wednesday, Mahlambi showed he is ready to terrorise defenders, and do justice to his potential, when he troubled the Capetonians each time he was in possession.

Wits are known for their defensive structure and organisation, but in Mahlambi, they have a player with the individual, attacking prowess so vital to a team wanting to win the title.

SIPHIWE TSHABALALA Kaizer Chiefs

He may be 32 but the evergreen Tshabalala is still the beating heart of Chiefs’ creativity.

He is still the spark that ignites the Soweto club from an offensive perspective. He is still the player capable of manufacturing something threatening when it appears nothing is on.

The Amakhosi squad has really come good under coach Steve Komphela, in that they are compact, cohesive and defensively sound.