Cape Town - Since their promotion to the PSL, Polokwane City have always languished in the relegation zone. Is that about to change?
They will be hoping that their new coach Luc Eymael transforms them team from relegation candidates to a top eight team. The jury is still out on whether Eymael will succeed where others have failed.
The Belgian's CV is impressive. He he has won championships with Congolese side AS Vita and Sudan's Missile FC. Eymael has indicated in several interviews that he will be aiming for the top eight in his first season in the PSL.
“(The) Chairman has brought me here to bring the team to the top eight. I will be very happy if we succeed together to bring the team in the top eight,”said Belgian Eymael.
It will be interesting to see how players respond to the philosophy of the new coach, given that they have had to change their style of play with coaches coming and going in the last three years. Eymael has been working with the players for a month now and that should have given both sides time to understand each other ahead of the season kick-off next week.
“The reception has been very good from the players, they are responding very well and they are committed in training. I have already assessed a lot of these players. They are improving a lot.”
Eymael counts Belgian superstar Eden Hazard among his protégé having coached the Chelsea playmaker during his youth days.”I like attacking football. You can go to Youtube and see all my teams, whether in Congo or Sudan. I like high pressure on the defence. I like to work on that with my attackers. I like build up from the defence to midfield and from midfield to strikers. I don’t like long balls. One thing is for sure. I will never adapt my football to the other team,”said the former AFC Leopards coach.
Polokwane City have not made much signings so far and Eymael wants to bolster his team.
“We have definitely improved as a team and the playing style has changed completely. One thing for sure I would still like to sign a tall striker and a more strong and experienced midfielder,”he said.
It remains to be seen if Eymael’s philosophy will prevail at Polokwane City.”
Analysis
Part of the reasons City have not cemented their place in the PSL is that the men from Limpopo have never been consistent. The chopping and changing of coaches makes it difficult for the team to establish themselves as a a consistent top eight team. One season they are up there challenging for top eight and the next season they are fighting relegation.
Their management seems to be trigger happy, getting rid of coaches willy-nilly and this has not done their chances of progress any good. On the pitch they have decent quality that can deliver the goods and put on solid performances on consistent basis. Last season Polokwane players had to play under three coaches - Kosta Papic, Makweni Mayala and Julio Leal.
The three were different in their way of doing things and it reflected as Rise and Shine battled to make things happen. Now, it is Eymael's turn to lead. Clubs boss Jonny Mogaladi better let him see out his contract if he wants his team to Rise and Shine.
Key man: Jabulani Maluleke
Veteran midfielder and playmaker Jabulani Maluleke is the man who makes this team tick. The captain’s overall influence on the team and how they play is massive. Last season he formed an enterprising partnership with Cole Alexander in the middle of the park. Now that Alexander has since moved to SuperSport United, a lot will be expected from Maluleke.
For the good of Polokwane Ciy is that But he has Maluleke is capable to carry the team. The skipper is one of the most creative midfielders in the PSL. Maluleke can split any defence with his dribbling skills and wonderful passes. He engineers a lot of attacking moves for Polokwane City. The number of assists he provides make life easy for his teammates.
The 34-year-old is not just good at creating goals but he also chips in with critical goals. Maluleke is deadly on set pieces. Whether as a starter or from the bench, Maluleke puts in great work..
New signings
Walter Maponyane (from Chippa United), Thabang Klaas (Witbank Spurs), Rodney Ramagalela (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Thabiso Semenya (Platinum Stars)
POSITION PREVIOUS SEASONS13th, 12th,15th
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