THE 2016/17 season is one neutrals will probably never forget - one that doesn’t quite have a clear favourite for the Absa Premiership title. Every team has strengthened their squads. Even the minnows, such as newly-promoted Highlands Park, have shown they mean business with they quality of players they have recruited to help them in the top-flight.
This season will evoke all kinds of emotions and should go right down to the wire. Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning champions, have again enjoyed a fruitful transfer window with the signing of Sibusiso Vilakazi from Bidvest Wits, Thapelo Morena from Bloemfontein Celtic, Free State Stars’ Lucky Mohomi and Brazilian defender Ricardo dos Santos Nascimento. Runners-up Wits managed to get forward workhorse Cuthbert Malajila as well as Mogakolodi Ngele in the Vilakazi deal, while also luring players that could swing the title race in their favour.
So, already last’s season top two sides look stronger and obviously Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates had no choice but to overhaul their squads given the lack of silverware at the end of that term. Amakhosi have backed coach Steve Komphela all the way to the bank (Well, most of their new arrivals were brought in on a free, so that word is used rather loosely here) with a shopping spree that includes five strikers to try and solve the team’s scoring poser. You wouldn’t be too far off for suggesting that their Soweto rivals Pirates will take some time before they get going.
Not only have the Buccaneers made drastic changes to the playing personnel, chairman Irvin Khoza has also appointed a new coach in Muhsin Ertugral. The German-Turk is no stranger to pressure having twice been on the other side as Chiefs coach, but even he has his work cut out to lift a team that finished seventh last season into outperforming Sundowns, Wits and even Platinum Stars, who ended in third place.
It’s likely to be a rollercoaster like no other in the 20-year history of Premier Soccer League football, so soak it all up an enjoy - unless you’ve got your heart set on just one contender. Disappointment awaits you because there will be all kinds of twists and turns. You simply couldn’t come up with a better script. - The Star