The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is no longer a competition to be scoffed at. In the past, it hogged all manner of bad press and ridicule for the quality of the product, treating its fixture list as simply a guideline, and a host of other problem areas.
But, over the years, it has developed into a professional, well-run organisation – and, as such, it is now in such high demand that satellite television is prepared to shell out big bucks for exclusive broadcast rights.
It’s not that everything is rosy. It’s not. There are hitches, as there are in any sports association anywhere in the world, but the PSL has now become a league that operates smoothly and efficiently.
This Friday, the new local football league season gets under way when Ajax Cape Town host SuperSport United at Cape Town Stadium (kick off 8pm), while rookies Chippa United are in action on Saturday, away to Mamelodi Sundowns.
The PSL is now an attractive option, and not only have some of South Africa’s overseas stars returned to play at home, but some European players are seeing it as a viable destination.
Benni McCarthy is already back in the PSL, so, too, is Siyabonga Nomvethe. This season, a few others are back from their European sojourns, including former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena, Calvin Kadi (both at Bidvest Wits) and Bradley Grobler (Ajax).
Last season, Ajax brought former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld to the PSL, this season another Dutchman – Koen van de Laak – has made the move to the Mother City. There is also a Dutch defender, Alje Schut, at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Former Bafana midfielder Matthew Pattison, in fact, referred to this new light in which the PSL is viewed when he signed for Wits last month.
“People sometimes don’t believe me, but financially it is better to come to SA,” he told reporters. “The UK is only attractive if you are playing in the Premier League. Anything less and you will struggle. Many English clubs have overcompensated and they are struggling to keep up.
“SA is challenging a lot of European leagues when it comes to finances. SA can compete, which is really good for our football and the country.”
Even former Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has made the trek to the PSL, accepting the arduous task of taking charge of Kaizer Chiefs, one of the country’s most popular football clubs.
Wits have been active in the market. They fired long-serving Roger de Sa as coach and replaced him with Spaniard Antonio Lopez Habas. In addition to Mokoena, Wits have also brought Kadi back from Greece, where he was playing for Veria, signed Thomas Sweswe, Tinashe Nengomasha and Tlou Molekwane, all from Chiefs, and former Bafana man, Bryce Moon. – Cape Argus