The best and the worst of the PSL season
It’s almost expected, isn’t it? Another Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign has come to an end, and instead of a season review focusing predominantly on the football, the players, and the highs and lows of the emotional rollercoaster a season brings, the spotlight is again on the off-field shenanigans as far as relegation is concerned.
Last week, the PSL had to oppose an interdict in the South Gauteng High Court from Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu to stop the promotion play-offs from taking place. It got under way on Sunday, with Black Leopards defeating Jomo Cosmos 2-0. The other club involved in the play-offs, to decide a spot in next season’s PSL, is Swallows. AmaZulu have been relegated and will play in the National First Division (NFD) next season.
Swallows and AmaZulu’s decision to go to court is based on the fact that the PSL is currently investigating claims of match-fixing with regard to the relegation battle. The court, though ruled in favour of the PSL, which is why the play-offs went ahead on Sunday. The league’s investigation into whether match-fixing took place or not is on-going.
It’s a sad state of affairs. But the most damning aspect of it all is probably that it occurs so regularly. In truth, the PSL only has itself to blame. Until the yawning chasm between the PSL and NFD is sorted out, this will remain an issue. There is such desperation to stay in the PSL, or be promoted to the PSL, that skullduggery will always be rife.
Every club wants to be in the financially flush PSL, with its R1.5-million-a-month grant and the potential to land numerous sponsorships. In the NFD, it’s only R400-000-amonth, no sponsors, and club bosses end up having to regularly dip into their own pockets to make ends meet. This is the scenario that has created the dog-eat-dog world that is the nether regions of the domestic game – the relegation area in the PSL and the top end of the NFD.
THE NEW KAIZER CHIEFS
It has been a record-breaking season for PSL champions, Kaizer Chiefs, including the most points (69) by the title winners, most league wins (21) and longest unbeaten winning run (19 games). The margin between first and second was an astounding 12 points, that’s how dominant Chiefs were this season.
But a closer look at the PSL log clearly reveals the secret to success for this current squad of the popular Soweto club – goals conceded all season in the league: just 14 (second-placed Sundowns conceded 24). This defensive solidity is what successful coach Stuart Baxter has brought to the club.
Traditional Chiefs teams, going back to the era of Ace Ntsoelengoe, Teenage Dladla, Ace Khuse, Doctor Khumalo and even some of the more recent generations, have always built their game on possession, on flair and skill. But the modern-game has moved on… And this is why Baxter has infused Chiefs with the necessary defensive organisation and tactical discipline the modern-game demands. Often, it would be odd to see Chiefs concede possession to lesser teams, but it would be all part of the strategy – and they would feed off the opposition’s errors and punish them with swift and efficient transitions. Certainly, worthy champions. Chiefs have just been in a different class this season… perhaps even on a different planet!
AJAX AND THAT EXCITING YOUTH BRIGADE
It has been a long time since the Mother City has been so captivated by Ajax. In the doldrums for a number of seasons, a special crop of young players have emerged to revive the energy, enthusiasm and passion that drove the club in its early years of existence. Rivaldo Coetzee (18), Abbubaker Mobara (20), Tashreeq Morris (20), Travis Graham (21), Bantu Mzwakali (21), Mosa Lebusa (22) and Riyaad Norodien (20) have taken the Cape by storm – and reminded everybody that football is alive and well in the Mother City. And, most of all, that when it comes to football talent, look no further than Cape Town…
But, not only that, the contribution of head coach Roger de Sa has to be acknowledged. He has managed to bring the best out of the kids by getting them to believe in their ability and, most importantly, he has trusted them by giving them the opportunities to perform on the top-flight stage.
The reward has been fifth place in the PSL and runnersup in the Nedbank Cup. For a club with a cheque book far less than the PSL’s bigspenders, with a team of homegrown talent still making its way in the sport, that is certainly a good return.
The challenge, though, will be next season. Is it a case of the Cape club simply flattering to deceive, or will it be able to leap even even higher?
MERRY-GO-ROUND
Another recurrent theme in the PSL. Season after season, the same, mouldy old coaches simply rotate from club to club. Patience has never been a virtue among football bosses in this country, with Chippa United, of course, the worst of the lot. Again, this season, they chopped and changed coaches with regularity and, as expected, they nearly got relegated, finishing one place above Swallows.
De Sa, Baxter, Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gavin Hunt (Wits) and Steve Komphela (Maritzburg) are the only coaches who finished at the club where they started the season. The other clubs all had one or more changes during the campaign.
CUP WINNERS
The MTN8 competition was yet another success for Chiefs, which earned them R8-million in prize money and a best player award for midfielder George Maluleka. The next trophy of the season went to SuperSport United as they won the Telkom Knockout Cup to chalk up another achievement for coach Gordon Igesund. The curtain then came down on the football calendar, with Sundowns edging Ajax 4-3 on penal- ties to take the Nedbank Cup over the weekend.
PLAY IT AGAIN, KOSTA
In a football world of staid, boring tactics and cautious, conservative game plans, Polokwane City breathed life into the PSL. Under the direction of nerveless Serbian coach Kosta Papic and the smooth passing skills of Mitchell’s Plain’s Cole Alexander, Polokwane played an exciting, high-tempo brand of football. They dared, they risked, they weren’t afraid of losing, they entertained, they enthralled…
Football in the PSL is not always the most attractive – there are games that thrill, but there are also many dour, dull encounters – but, whenever Polokwane were in action, rest assured, you were entertained. And, for that, they definitely deserve a mention.
BEST MATCH - AJAX CAPE TOWN 0 KAIZER CHIEFS 1 (OCTOBER 19, 2014)
Just one goal scored, but the football was of the highest quality. It was the new-look style of Chiefs on show: They allowed the Cape youngsters to have possession and then hit them on the counter. The action was end-to-end in an entertaining afternoon, with Chiefs winning it thanks to a headed goal from Tefu Mashamaite (who was on Sunday named as PSL Player of the Season).
WORST MATCH – MARITZBURG UNITED 0 FREE STATE STARS 0 (FEBRUARY 28, 2015)
Watching paint dry would have been more exciting. No energy, no urgency, and both lacked the technical ability and tactical awareness required of topflight football clubs.
BEST GOAL – MENZI MASUKU
Not much of an argument. This was a really special effort (it deservedly won goal of the season at the PSL awards on Sunday). Pirates midfielder Masuku gained possession of the ball on the left flank inside his own half. He shook off a marker or two with a deft feint, speedily cut inside, with SuperSport defenders trailing in his wake, and then, from about 40 metres out, he hit a powerful, swerving shot that thundered into the top corner.
FUNNIEST MOMENT
It may not rank as a funny as such, but this incident does illustrate the unique peculiarity of football in South Africa. In February this year, AmaZulu suspended Zimbabwean defender Carlington Nyadombo, allegedly because the club’s supporters suspected the player had been using ‘muti’ to ensure the team loses.
BEST COACH – STUART BAXTER
No competition. The Kaizer Chiefs coach has ensured that Amakhosi remain the country’s best, while, at the same time, completely altering the way they play. The focus now is on discipline and shape, rather than flash and exhibition.
BEST GOALKEEPER – PATRICK TIGNEYMB
The Bloemfontein Celtic keeper is probably the most consistent performer in the PSL. This season, his brilliance between the sticks ensured the Free State club finished in a respectable sixth position on the league table.
BEST DEFENDER – THULANI HLATSHWAYO
The former Ajax man moved to Wits this season and has now taken his game to a different level. Not only has he been an ever-present and reliable presence for Wits, he has also been a stalwart for Bafana Bafana.
BEST MIDFIELDER – WILLARD KATSANDE
The Kaizer Chiefs hard-man gets through the ugly work, so that the team’s creative players can flourish. The Zimbabwean is an aggressive, combative footballer, and is the rock upon which coach Baxter builds his successful Chiefs side.
BEST STRIKER – LERATO LAMOLA
The Bloemfontein Celtic forward is a natural goalscorer. In a PSL where instinctive marksmen are hard to find, Lamola is a special talent. He got 13 goals this season, one behind the top-scorer Moeketsi Sekola (Free State Stars), but watch the Celtic striker next season – he’ll better that tally.