POLOKWANE CITY

THEIR SEASON SO FAR

If the season were to end now, there would be lots of celebrating up in the north, for 10th place would mean a big achievement for a Polokwane City more accustomed to avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth. It was thus surprising that the club parted ways with coach Kosta Papic. But murmurs of a misunderstanding between the coach and the club boss, as well as a discontented dressing room, has seen to the return of Brazilian coach Julio Leal to the local soccer scene.

WHAT THEY DID RIGHT

City did what they have always been renowned for – playing an exciting, attacking brand of football which has yielded them three wins and the same number of draws for a 12 point return. They have also managed to hold both Soweto giants to draws after the Amakhosi and the Buccaneers visited the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

WHERE THEY FLOPPED

Such is City’s inability to keep a clean sheet that to call it a flop when they let the opposition score is perhaps unfair. Under Kosta Papic the word defence never existed, hence their conceding 15 goals in 11 matches. Julio Leal has promised to change that when he takes over.

STAR PERFORMER

Like good wine, Jabu Maluleke continues to mature with age and even this season it has been the well-travelled midfielder with a cultured left foot who has literally led City’s charge. In just about every match, Maluleke has played the role of fetcher, carrier and distributor – he has even contributed to the club’s goal tally.

REQUIRED TRANSFER ACTIVITY

If they are serious about shoring up defensively, City would do well to invest in the services of a solid defensive midfielder. They also need to buy two quality defenders and get a solid and experienced goalkeeper – think Wayne Sandilands for example.

REST OF THE SEASON OUTLOOK

Julio Leal has done fantastically well with all the clubs he coached here in SA. He saved AmaZulu from relegation; won the Nedbank Cup with Moroka Swallows and the MTN8 with Pirates. Can he add some silverware to City’s cabinet? That will probably be asking a bit too much. He would do well to get them a top eight finish. They will probably finish where they currently lie. –