HOW’S YOUR PSL TEAM PERFORMING?
The Absa Premiership log doesn’t give the full picture just yet with four clubs still to play their full quota of 15 matches to reach the halfway mark. Despite that, it’s clear to see which teams are fighting for the championship and which are desperately trying to survive... BIDVEST WITS What did they do right?
The Clever Boys have undergone a dramatic turnaround. They went from languishing at the bottom of the log at the halfway mark last season to sitting at the summit at the same stage a season later. Gavin Hunt refreshed the team and challenged the players to make up for their disastrous league defence. New faces have been at the forefront of the transformation.
Where can they improve?
Wits aren’t brutal enough. They tend to let teams off the hook once they have them pinned to the floor instead of finishing them off.
Star Performer: Darren Keet
The attack might have stolen the show, with the most goals in the league, but Keet’s safe pair of hands have been influential. Keet is the foundation this Wits team is built on. Coach’s safety barometer: 9/10 Having brought three trophies to the club in the last two seasons at Milpark, including their first league title, Hunt is very safe.
What should they look to buy?
The Clever Boys need to invest in getting a playmaker to complement Thabang Monare who carries the bulk of the responsibilities in terms of making things happen.
How will they fare in the second half?
The Absa Premiership is for Wits to lose. With no continental commitments, their task is so much easier.
ORLANDO PIRATES What did they do right?
The Buccaneers built on their good showing from last season. They maintained the fast and deadly attack that troubled defenders in the last campaign, making key additions to increase effectiveness. They added more speed into their attack by acquiring Vincent Pule who has been a revelation in black and white. They have enough depth to compete on the continent and in the domestic league.
Where can they improve?
Pirates need to find a more reliable goalkeeper. Most of their keepers aren’t the complete package. But they first need to give Brilliant Khuzwayo a chance before evaluating what they have and don’t have.
Star Performer: Thembinkosi Lorch Lorch leads the club’s goal-scoring charts with seven goals in all competitions. His versatility to lead the attack and also play on either sides of the flank is crucial in their three-pronged attack. Coach’s safety barometer: 8/10 Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is still on a honeymoon period with the Ghost. But he knows that should he not deliver a trophy soon, that relationship could go south.
What should they look to buy?
Pirates need a fast central defender to complement Happy Jele’s experience and Marshall Munetsi’s composure. Their current central defence pairing lacks speed. They get exposed by fast attackers.
How will they fare in the second half?
How well Pirates can juggle their CAF Champions League commitments will determine where they finish in the league.
SUPERSPORT UNITED What did they do right?
Matsatsantsa a Pitori struggled to find Eric Tinkler’s replacement. They eventually opted to give Kaitano Tembo the job on a permanent basis after he rescued them last season. Tembo’s appointment has brought stability in what was an unstable club that flirted with relegation after reaching the final of the CAF Confederation Cup last year.
Where can they improve?
SuperSport have an ageing squad that needs to be re-energised. Tembo needs to blood more youngsters. It shouldn’t be hard as he has worked with most of them.
Star Performer: Aubrey Modiba
The versatile player brings stability in defence and goals for Matsatsantsa a Pitori in attack. He has big match temperament and is good at playing the hero when the chips are down.
Coach’s safety barometer: 7/10 Tembo is safe but the fact that he wasn’t the club’s first choice means the axe still looms in the background.
What should they look to buy?
They need to boost their defence. It’s full of veterans who may well struggle with the gruelling campaign in the second half of the season. How will they fare in the second half? SuperSport have a good squad but it’s thin on depth. Should they be stretched, they will struggle like they did in the second half of last season.
POLOKWANE CITY What did they do right?
Rise and Shine used to be overly reliant on Rodney Ramagalela for goals. Last season’s joint winner of the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot award carried the Polokwane side on his shoulders. They struggled when he hit his dry spell. This season goals have been shared evenly across the squad.
Where can they improve?
Polokwane need to find balance. Their decent strike rate is let down by their porous defence. They go to sleep in crucial moments of the game.
Star Performer: Jabu Maluleke
The 36-year-old midfielder is maturing like fine wine. The older he gets, the classier he becomes. He is the conductor of Rise and Shine’s orchestra.
Coach’s safety barometer:
5/10 Jozef Vukusic was a surprise appointment. He has brought stability in the team but Polokwane’s boss Johnny Mogaladi is an unpredictable man.
What should they look to buy?
Polokwane need to bolster their defence. Their goalkeepers are okay but they’re let down by the men in front of them. How will they fare in the second half? Polokwane will find it tough to finish in the top eight. They’re too erratic to maintain their good start.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS What did they do right?
The defending champions are eight points behind the leaders with three games in hand. Although they’re in a rebuilding phase, they have kept up with the leaders to show the quality at their disposal. Sundowns are on a 25-match unbeaten run despite not hitting their strides. That should scare their rivals. Where can they improve? The Brazilians haven’t found the right combinations up front even though they have a potent attack at their disposal. Sundowns need to play to Jeremy Brockie’s strength to get the best out of him.
Star Performer: Hlompho Kekana The Sundowns’ captain has been the club’s most consistent player this season. He offers muscle, leadership and a powerful shot to a team that’s still finding themselves. Coach’s safety barometer: 10/10 Jingles is the safest coach in the country. It’s not surprising that he is the longestserving Sundowns’ coach in Patrice Motsepe’s era. What should they look to buy? The Brazilians don’t need to make any additions to their squad in the January transfer window. They have depth, experience and quality in every department. How will they fare in the second half? Sundowns can retain their Absa Premiership title. But that’s dependant on how they juggle their CAF Champions League duties and games in hand.
KAIZER CHIEFS What did they do right?
Chiefs were quick to act on their mistake of appointing Giovanni Solinas, a coach with no cup pedigree but who was given the mandate to end their three-season barren run. He couldn’t and was exposed to be out of his depth. Amakhosi fired him less than five months into his tenure.
Where can they improve?
The Soweto giants’ biggest problem is at the top. Chiefs’ management needs to re-look how they scout talent in terms of players and coaching personnel. Star Performer: Khama Billiat
The Zimbabwean forward has brought star quality to Amakhosi. He has made other players raise their game to be at his level which has been good for the team.
Coach’s safety barometer: 4/10
Ernst Middendorp starts on the back foot due to his baggage from his first controversial spell and the mess his two predecessors left behind by not winning anything for Amakhosi.
What should they look to buy?
Chiefs have a squad good enough to challenge for the championship. Middendorp just needs to unleash them and drop his conservative nature that characterised his first stint at Naturena.
How will they fare in the second half?
Chiefs can either soar or crash and burn. It all depends on the German keeping his cool.
BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC What did they do right?
Steve Komphela did a good job in managing the players mentally. Celtic had a number of problems – from the club being put up for sale to some players going on strike due to unpaid salaries and signing-on-fees. Komphela managed to not let that affect the players to register a fairly good start.
Where can they improve?
Celtic need to tighten things at the back. They conceded 10 goals in their last four matches. That porous run undid the good work they did in their bright start.
Star Performer: Wandisile Letlabika Letlabika’s return from his knee injury came at a crucial time for Phunya Sele Sele with Lorenzo Gordinho on his way out and Alfred Ndengane sold to settle some bills.
Coach’s safety barometer: Not
applicable.
Steve Komphela resigned from his post yesterday, a day after Golden Arrows parted ways “amicably” with Clinton Larsen.
What should they look to buy?
Celtic need to buy Gordinho’s replacement in central defence and Ndengane’s cover in central midfield. Their lack of muscle in their defence has led to their downward spiral. How will they fare in the second half? Celtic will fight to avoid relegation if they don’t strengthen their defence. They don’t have the quality to challenge for honours.
HIGHLANDS PARK What did they do right?
The Lions of the North have had a seamless transition to life in the Premier Division after gaining promotion from the National First Division. They are a tough team to crack with their structured defence. Their solid defence laid the foundation for their good start that saw them placed eighth at the halfway mark.
Where can they improve?
Highlands lack creativity. For all their resolute defence, they don’t do much with the ball once they have it. There’s not much thought process put in the transition of going from defence to attack.
Star Performer: Mothobi Mvala
The league’s leading goalscorer, with seven goals, is not only strong defensively as a central midfielder but he also has a knack of scoring crucial goals.
Coach’s safety barometer: 8/10 Owen da Gama has exceeded expectations by guiding Highlands to the top eight in the first half of the season.
What should they look to buy?
Highlands have a good force offensively with Tendai Ndoro, Peter Shalulile, Petrus Ngebo and Moeketsi Sekola. They just need to click.
How will they fare in the second half?
The Lions of the North will not finish in the top eight, but they should survive the axe.
CAPE TOWN CITY What did they do right?
The Citizens have done well in the transfer market. They have a squad good enough to challenge for the championship. The MTN8 victory gave the team confidence. The Cape side have depth in every department while players like Ayanda Patosi and Surprise Ralani are finally living up to the billing. Where can they improve? City have done poorly in the league considering the quality at their disposal. Players like Patosi, Ralani and Siphelele Mthembu have looked good only in patches. They need to be more consistent.
Star Performer: Thabo Nodada
The pint-sized midfielder has a gigantic fighting spirit. He leaves it all on the pitch in pursuit of giving his team what they need. Coach’s safety barometer: 9/10 Even though City have struggled in the league, Benni McCarthy’s job is safe as a favourite of owner John Comitis and having brought the MTN8 to Cape Town.
What should they look to buy?
City don’t need to make any more signings. They’ve already bolstered their attack with Kermit Erasmus. They need to get the best out of the quality at their disposal.
How will they fare in the second half?
The Cape side will challenge for the championship but McCarthy’s naivety may count against them.
He still has to learn a thing or two to compete against the Gavin Hunts and Pitso Mosimanes of this league.
AMAZULU
What did they do right? Usuthu did well to not let their management’s incompetence derail them in the league. The Durban side were docked six points after they were found guilty of unlawfully terminating Phineas Nambandi’s contract and not paying the fine they were given. Those six points would have put them ahead of Kaizer Chiefs who sit in sixth place. Where can they improve? AmaZulu’s biggest challenge lies in the boardroom. Their own-goal should have seen heads roll, or at best an improvement in the running of the club and complying with rules.
Star Performer: Emiliano Tade
The Argentinian forward, nicknamed ‘Nkathazo’, has done so well for AmaZulu that he endeared himself to the patriotic fans who gave him the nickname. Tade has an eye for goal. Coach’s safety barometer: 8/10 Cavin Johnson has done well with the limited resources at his disposal and dealing with how Usuthu shot themselves in the foot. What should they look to buy? AmaZulu need some experienced heads in their defence to complement veteran goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs and welltravelled Marc van Heerden. Most of the goals they have conceded are down to inexperience. How will they fare in the second half? Usuthu will beat the drop and fight for a place in the top eight. They can muscle their way into that bracket if they don’t make any drastic changes to their squad.
GOLDEN ARROWS What did they do right?
The relationship between Arrows’ first team and their MultiChoice Diski Challenge side has been mutually beneficial. It saved the team a lot of money. Abafana Bes’thende rely on home grown talent to remain competitive without breaking the bank. Clinton Larsen kept faith in the MDC products who graduated to the first team.
Where can they improve?
The club need to bring a coach who will continue with blooding young talent in the first team. There aren’t that many coaches who would have done what Clinton Larsen did with limited resources.
Star Performer: Nkanyiso Mngwengwe The 29-year-old defender has not only been a loyal servant for Abafana Bes’thende, but he has also been a dependable figure in defence.
Coach’s safety barometer: 6/10 Steve Komphela’s appointment as Arrows coach came as a shock as he looked settled at Bloemfontein Celtic a couple of days ago. He will feel at home in a club that believes in youth.
What should they look to buy?
Arrows need to strengthen their thin defence if they are to survive the second half of the season with the uncertainty that’ll be caused by having a new coach.
How will they fare in the second half?
Arrows will be drawn into the relegation dogfight due to the lack of quality in their squad.
BAROKA FC What did they do right?
The league standings might not show it just yet, but the club did well in appointing Wedson Nyirenda as coach. The Zambian has a knack of making history with the clubs he has managed.
He won league honours with unfancied teams, Zesco United and Ferroviario da Beira. His only success with Bakgaga so far was giving them their first trophy in the elite league.
Where can they improve?
Bakgaga need to improve their finishing. They create a lot of chances but don’t convert enough. Their misfiring is why they find themselves in the bottom half of the log.
Star Performer: Mduduzi Mdantsane The Baroka captain has led with distinction with his creativity, high work rate and good leadership. He rises to the occasion when his team has their back against the wall. Coach’s safety barometer: 8/10 Nyirenda is practically part of the family. Before he won the Telkom Knockout with Bakgaga, he was given a clan name he shares with the club’s chairman.
What should they look to buy?
A prolific striker should be top priority for the Limpopo side. Ranga Chivaviro hasn’t set the scene alight like it was expected when he was signed from Ubuntu Cape Town.
How will they fare in the second half?
Baroka should retain their status, buoyed by their history-making feat of lifting their first trophy in the Premier Division.
BLACK LEOPARDS
What did they do right? The club’s management did well in finally upgrading Thohoyandou Stadium to meet the Premier Soccer League’s requirements. Leopards’ slaughterhouse is an intimidating venue that challenges their opponents, from the heat to the long distances they have to travel to get there. The packed crowd they get is the cherry on top. Where can they improve? Lidoda Duvha need to shake off their naivety.
They still have first division mentality They need to lose that if they are to keep their status.
Star Performer: Mwape Musonda The Zambian forward is a lethal finisher who is yet to bring his A-game in the elite league for Leopards. He has shown glimpses of what he can do once he gets used to the new environment.
Coach’s safety barometer: 4/10 Dylan Kerr might still be new at the club but should Leopards continue to flirt with relegation, David Thidiela will not think twice about giving him the boot. What should they look to buy? Lidoda Duvha need to bring experience into their squad. But that shouldn’t be Premier Division has-beens discarded by their former clubs. How will they fare in the second half? Leopards will fight it out to avoid the axe.
FREE STATE STARS
What did they do right? Stars haven’t done much right his season. They parted ways with a coach who made them believe and they didn’t replace the players they lost (Siphelele Mthembu and Nhlanhla Vilakazi). The only positive is that they aren’t at the bottom. But there isn’t much of a gap between them and Mariztburg United with just two points separating them. Where can they improve? Ea Lla Koto let their Nedbank Cup success go to their heads and ignored the holes in their squad that needed to be plugged. They need to strengthen their team.
Star Performer: Harris Tchilimbou
The Congolese attacking midfielder has been a glimmer of hope in what has been a dark period for the Bethlehem-based side as they’ve now been drawn into the relegation quicksand. Coach’s safety barometer: 5/10 Nikola Kavazovic’s clean slate is muddied by the club’s bad start. He has to hit the ground running with an ageing team. What should they look to buy? Stars need to get a reliable forward who will help them claw their way out of a precarious situation in the log. They didn’t get a suitable replacement for Siphelele Mthembu. How will they fare in the second half? Free State Stars will be fortunate if they avoid the drop.
CHIPPA UNITED What did they do right?
Chippa United have assembled a number of good ball players which bodes well for their possession-based football. But their problem is that they aren’t a team. They are just a number of talented individuals. Their advantage is that they at least have the potential to turn on the magic.
Where can they improve?
The Chilli Boys are starting to look a lot like a retirement home. They’ve taken in a number of discarded talent. They need to re-look their signing policy if they’re to be competitive.
Star Performer: Mark Mayambela The Chilli Boys skipper has matured as a player. He is a good leader who isn’t shy to admit when he is wrong and apologise for it. Coach’s safety barometer: 1/10 Joel Masutha is skating on thin ice. He’ll probably be the next coaching casualty.
What should they look to buy?
What Chippa United need isn’t up for sale. They need to convert the talented group of players at their disposal into a team that plays as a collective.
How will they fare in the second half?
The Chilli Boys are strong candidates to be relegated to the first division. They haven’t offered much.
MARITZBURG UNITED What did they do right?
They undid what they had done right with the sacking of Fadlu Davids. Backing the coach was a smart decision as his knowledge of the club and the players is what they needed to get out of this turbulent period. But the club panicked and showed Davids the door. Their battle to avoid relegation will be made even harder with the arrival of a new man to manage a stretched squad.
Where can they improve?
The Team of Choice can’t compete financially due to their limited resources. Their biggest source of funding is selling players. But they need to have adequate replacements ready before they sell.
Star Performer: Fortune Makaringe Makaringe is Maritzburg’s live-wire. He makes the club tick with his creativity and intelligent play. Coach’s safety barometer: Muhsin Ertugral is part of the group of coaches who’ll be judged more on where their team is at rather than what they’ve done with the dire situation they inherited.
What should they look to buy?
Maritzburg have the worst strike rate in the league with a paltry five goals in 14 matches.
They need a prolific striker to change their fortunes and beat the drop. How will they fare in the second half? The Team is Choice will be relegated if they don’t shake off their woeful start.