Some, pretty awful for others
It was a season of redemption for Ea Lla Koto after they narrowly escaped relegation. They also came close to getting sold in the past few years. Their highly rated Belgian coach Luc Eymael got them playing wonderful football again and led them to a first trophy in 24 years. It was Steve Komphela’s third trophyless season and emotions were already at a tipping point. Amakhosi never really got going in the league race and fell at the semifinal stage in both the TKO and Nedbank Cup. Emotions finally boiled over as fans went on rampage after losing to Free State Stars in the semis of the Nedbank Cup to condemn them to another season with no silverware. In the aftermath, Komphela resigned and assistant coach Patrick Mabedi took charge of the last three games. Considering they had a hectic schedule, including having to play in Africa as well, they did well to win the league. But it could have been a much glossier season for the Brazilians if they performed well in the cups. They brought in some big signing in the likes of Jeremy Brockie, but it was the old guard that fired them to their eighth Absa Premiership title. The Team of Choice enjoyed their best season in history under rookie coach Fadlu Davids. The team punched above their weight and excited the spectators with their entertaining brand of football. Their youthful core, including Siphesihle Ndlovu, Lebohang Maboe, Fortune Makaringe and Deolin Mekoa, have become some of the most sought-after players in the PSL. Despite losing the Nedbank Cup to Stars, they can hold their head up high for a season well played. Finishing second was a huge jump for a team who ended outside the top eight last season and though they didn’t win anything, they have laid a solid foundation for next season. The technical team headed by Micho Sredojevic and assisted by Rulani Mokwena, is on a mission to “heal the souls” of their supporters. There’s no silverware, but there’s hope that the Ghost might rise again next season. Dikwena had the tale-tell signs of a club that was in disarray with some of the events that happened in the last year. New coach at the start of the season, Peter Butler, lasted a month. A consortium led by Roger de Sa purchased the club for a paltry R22.5-million but the turnaround on the pitch never came and they were relegated. They were gifted a lifeline due to Ajax bungling the Ndoro saga, but could be relegated a second time if they lose to Black Leopards tomorrow. Rise and Shine didn’t live up to their nickname. They were fighting relegation in the end, a far cry from their performance last season. Most of their new recruits didn’t contribute much.