Rodney Reiners on the PSL
AJAX CAPE TOWN offered an early indication of intent when they qualified for the semifinals of the season-opening MTN8 Cup competition on Tuesday night, but the big question is always whether they can maintain this level of form and of consistency.
The Cape club knocked out Orlando Pirates 1-0 in a Cup quarter-final in Soweto – and now faces Wits in Joburg when the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign kicks off on Saturday.
While short-term Cup glory is always good for status, financial stability and bragging rights, a football club is measured by its league success.
Winning the championship is about consistency over a 10month period, which is why it’s inevitably the teams with the greater spending power and concomitant squad depth and quality who end up as ubiquitous title-challengers.
In the PSL, that usually translates to the “Big Three” – Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates – and, more recently, because of financial muscle, Wits and SuperSport United.
Ajax are adamant that their route to success will always be grounded in their youth development programme. Year after year, they introduce fresh, young talent onto the domestic football scene. The Capetonians harbour a dream of winning the PSL title with a squad made up of predominantly homegrown players. They’ve gone close on a few occasions – and, in the current squad, they certainly have the makings of a squad that could challenge.
Here’s a look at the how the 16 clubs in the top-flight PSL could possibly fare this season:
TITLE CONTENDERS
Kaizer Chiefs Defending champions, a topclass squad, the best supported club in the country and the return of charismatic goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, on the surface it would appear that everything points to another Amakhosi title. But, and it’s a big but, the loss of inspirational and influential coach Stuart Baxter is certain to have an effect. Chiefs’ success this season all revolves around how the new man in charge, Steve Komphela, goes about his business.
Mamelodi Sundowns The PSL’s big-spenders, needless to say, Sundowns will always be among the challengers for the champi- onship. Runners-up last season and title-winners the season before, the country’s “Chelsea” will be determined to regain their status as champions. No need to talk about their squad… as always, they will have a bloated but quality outfit.
Orlando Pirates Having played second fiddle to rivals Chiefs and Sundowns in recent seasons, Pirates will be desperate to make their voices heard at the top of the table once again. Sadly, though, the irony of the situation is that their fantastic run in continental inter-club competitions has been the biggest stumbling block to domestic success. This season, they are riding high in the CAF Confederations Cup – and a title-charge could well depend on how they recover from their African exertions.
Wits Ambition drives Wits. Three seasons ago, the Joburg club dispensed with its development tag and made no secret of the fact that they wanted to be a title-challenging team. Gavin Hunt was the coach employed to deliver the success Wits have dreamt about – and, after a bedding-in period, this looks like being the make-or-break season.
SuperSport United Wherever Gordon Igesund goes, talk of title success is never far behind. The coach with the Midas touch in the PSL has now made his intentions at SuperSport unequivocal: They will be right in there and challenging. The strengthening of the squad definitely sends out a strong message – ex-Santos forward Fagrie Lakay, former Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo, New Zealander Michael Boxall and Australian Isaka Cernak. The team to watch!
OUTSIDE SHOT
Ajax Cape Town Established in 1999, Ajax are yet to win the PSL title. Often criticised for being a selling club, the new owners have made a point of hanging on to their star youngsters this season. It’s no secret they would love to win the title and, in Roger de Sa, they have on board a coach who perfectly suits their ambition. The Cape club could even have been a little higher in this article, among the title-contenders, but the lack of a big, physical and aerially-strong central defender will always be a weakness against certain teams. If they can plug that hole, then don’t be surprised if they surprise the above-mentioned five.
HAPPY WITH TOP EIGHT SPOT
Bloemfontein Celtic The Free State side’s fantastic home form is always a factor. This allows them to always be in the top half of the table. This season should be no different, especially after return of coach Clinton Larsen, who seems to have the knack of getting the best of Celtic’s squad.
Platinum Stars A solid, reliable squad, coupled with a shrewd coach in Cavin Johnson, Platinum are always there and thereabouts. They are difficult to beat and always highly competitive – but a topeight place is the best they can hope for.
MIDDLE OF THE ROADERS
Mpumalanga Black Aces Narrowly avoided relegation last season, but the appointment of Muhsin Ertugral as coach will see drastic improvement at Aces. The Turk is one of the most respected mentors in the PSL and, a glance at his record at other clubs, proves that he usually turns things round quickly.
Polokwane City The Limpopo Province team was the toast of the PSL season. They played some stunning football, based on an allout attack approach. Cole Alexander, the Mitchell’s Plain midfielder, ran things with aplomb as Polokwane combined energy and purpose in one exciting package. Serbian coach Kosta Papic will, no doubt, be looking for more of the same – but, now that everybody knows what they are all about, the element of surprise is lost.
Maritzburg United Maritzburg are a bit of an unknown quantity this season after the departure of Steve Komphela to join Kaizer Chiefs. His erstwhile assistant, Mandla Ncikazi, has taken over – and it remains to be seen how the new coach responds to the added responsibility. On the plus side, Maritzburg are, however, always competitive and organised – and they should safely survive.
Free State Stars Another club that flirted with relegation last season and, thanks to a string of wins towards the end, managed to avoid the drop. The Free Staters would have learnt valuable lessons from the experience – and would have strengthened accordingly. They won’t be in the top bracket, but they’ll pick up the points to keep them safe.
THE RELEGATION SCRAP
University of Pretoria Usually, Tuks would probably be a little higher than this, because they always a cohesive unit, but a disappointing time of it during the last campaign means they could well struggle again. While they have added a number of new players this season, time will tell whether they have enough.
Chippa United
A club with massive potential, but always allows everything to unravel because there’s never any consistency. Be it the constant changing of coaches or the regular turnover of players, Chippa are often their own worst enemy. If they can keep things normal, then they could do well… but if, as expected, they run out of patience with coaches and players, then they’ll probably struggle again.
Jomo Cosmos Newly-promoted, the club owned and coached by local football legend Jomo Sono has it all to do. The gap between the PSL and the NFD is difficult to bridge, which is why promoted clubs always battle to get going. Cosmos have yo-yoed up and down the divisions – and, this season, it looks that way again.
Golden Arrows Champions of the NFD last season, Arrows are determined to ensure that they don’t go right back down again. A new coach in Serame Letsoaka, who was Gordon Igesund’s assistant at Bafana Bafana, the Durban club will bring its usual shortpassing, street-style game to bear on the PSL. But, as mentioned, the jump from NFD to PSL brings with it many challenges – and Arrows have it all to do.