THE FINAL PUSH
Ernst Middendorp’s future as Kaizer Chiefs coach next season depends on him winning the title this season.
After Chiefs occupied the summit of the PSL standings for the better part of the season, they have been stuttering lately.
That, moreover, has increased the volume of criticism from Chiefs supporters about the board’s decision to re-appoint the German.
Middnedorp’s counterpart Dylan Kerr, meanwhile, has a huge ask on his hands as he has to save another Limpopo club from relegation – having achieved the same feat with Black Leopards last season.
Pitso Mosimane’s success in South African football is well documented, thanks to him raking in a total of seven league titles.
But despite the unwavering dominance, Mosimane knows just how much the championship would mean to the Brazilians.
Not only would winning the title give Mamelodi Sundowns their third in a row but it would complete a record 10th PSL crown.
Lidoda Duvha, however, have proven to be a hard nut to crack in recent times in their bid to avoid relegation as they have been determined and resurgent under club legends Mongezi Bobe and Morgan Shivambu.
Josef Zinnbauer’s arrival at Orlando Pirates was met with bemusement by the Ghost, considering his underwhelming record.
But after taking the PSL by storm following an impressive stint before football came to a halt as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, Pirates could finish third on the standings and qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup next season. That is more than they could have hoped for after last season.
In Pirates’ last game of the season, Zinnbauer will square off against Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker who has grabbed the bull by the horns in top-flight football as his team are on the brink of a top-eight finish.
Kaitano Tembo may have already won the MTN8 title in his second full season as Supersport United coach, but he will regret not taking in his team further in the title race.
That Supersport are still on the verge of playing continental football as they currently occupy the Confederation Cup spot is something that they will want to consolidate.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Cape Town City are seventh on the standings and coach Jan Olde Riekerink knows that inspiring the club back to the MTN8 competition next season will serve as consolation after the poor start. And City have been playing with passion lately.