New hopes high on the agenda for new season
WITH the season over, players, coaches and club bosses will go away for a well deserved holiday.
But when they return to work next month, a number will feel they have something to prove.
Pitso Mosimane: Did very well to steer Sundowns to the Absa Premiership title as his side roared home in the final months of the season. But he knows himself the job is only just beginning and for a club of Sundowns’ stature and with the money invested, the task now is to create a dynasty of success. Mosimane needs to prove he is the man to take them there.
Roger de Sa: Did a decent job of steadying the ship at Ajax, but with the club bosses having stated that they want to be championship contenders by 2016, the former Orlando Pirates coach must rebuild quickly and prove he has the Cape Town club on the right track. Will he be backed in the transfer market though?
Lehlohonolo Majoro: He made the move to Pirates from Kaizer Chiefs having turned down Supersport United at the 11th-hour. A horror car crash in which he was lucky to survive relatively unscathed has stunted his progress, but with a pre-season under his belt he will be expected to deliver goals for the Buccaneers. Pirates fans are certainly happy to have him on board, but can he live up to the hype?
Moroka Swallows: Swallows’ slide to the foot of the table in the second half of this season was alarming as they collected just nine points from the 45 available to them. With no sponsor and little prospect of adding significant numbers in the transfer market unless they can find a benefactor, it looks like it could be a season of slog for this famous old club.
Chippa Mpengesi: Chippa United became something of a laughing stock in their maiden Premiership season, succumbing to relegation as owner Mpengesi used six different coaches and had a huge turnover of players. Now back in the big-time, he needs to prove he has learned the lessons of the past and can make this club with great potential a regular in the top-flight.
Katlego Mphela: Joined Chiefs in January from Sundowns and after a slow start found a burst of goals at the end of the season. With Knowledge Musona unlikely to return for 201415, the scoring burden for the side is likely to fall on the Bafana Bafana international. He has the ability, but can he live up to his own hype?
Mpumalanga Black Aces: AmaZayoni had a fantastic first campaign back in the big-time having been brilliantly led by veteran coach Clive Barker. But many of their top stars were only at the club on loan and with the infamous “second-season syndrome” looming, where clubs often find it hard to replicate the success of the previous year. Aces must prove they have the consistency to stay in the top eight.
Kinnah Phiri: Kept Free State Stars in the top-flight … just. Now he needs to find a way to improve on this year’s squad with the prospect of losing some of his top names to the big Gauteng clubs. Old boss Steve Komphela was a master at unearthing new talent each season, but does Phiri have the same ability?