It’s probably a bit premature to speculate about the destination of the 2015-2016 PSL title, especially considering that the stop-start campaign has resulted in most teams playing just 12 games thus far.
The 16-team PSL is a 30-game programme and, this season, due to international breaks and a three-week hiatus to accommodate the Under-23 African Nations Championship – effectively an Olympic Games qualification event – it has been a really difficult period for clubs to maintain momentum.
But, while it may appear that things are tight at this stage, a few sides have shown that they are firmly focused on winning the prestigious PSL title and the R10-million prize money the achievement offers.
The fixtures will come thick and fast next year – the PSL resumes as early as January 8 – which means that squad depth, astute tactical preparation and a goal-orientated approach will be crucial.
Here’s a quick look at a few clubs that will, no doubt, be among the contenders come the end of the season, and throwing in a few hopefuls as well:
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Mamelodi Sundowns
Current log position:1st (12 games, 26 points)
Sundowns are currently flying. They are the team to beat – and they are certainly the favourites for the PSL title. Having recently defeated Kaizer Chiefs to win the Telkom Knockout competition and, subsequent to that, dispatched of the other Soweto giant, Orlando Pirates, in the league, the Pretoria club finished the season in supreme form.
Zimbabwean Khama Billiat is playing at the top of his game, Under-23 skipper Keagan Dolly has been the best player on show so far this season, while Mitchell’s Plain defender Wayne Arendse has finally cemented a place in the starting team.
It’s taken Arendse a while to win over coach Pitso Mosimane and the club’s fickle supporters, but he’s performing as well, perhaps even better, than he did at his former club, Santos.
If Sundowns continue in the same vein next year, they’re a shoo-in for the championship.
Kaizer Chiefs
Current log position:4th (12 games, 21 points)
In typical South African fashion, new Chiefs coach Steve Komphela is already considered to be under pressure. He’s lost two Cup finals (The Telkom Knockout to Sundowns and MTN8 to Ajax Cape Town) and the talk among the popular Soweto club’s supporters is that “Steve must go”.
None of it, of course, makes sense … Komphela has done a fine job since assuming the hot seat, after the departure of Stuart Baxter. But this is South Africa, where some clubs are, unrealistically, expected to win every game they play.
Rest assured, come the end of the campaign, Chiefs will be challenging for the title. Their challenge, though, will rest on the fitness of star central defender, Erick Mathoho.
Injured at the moment, the tall, composed Mathoho is crucial to Amakhosi’s defensive shape and organisation. If he’s fully recovered next year, don’t write Chiefs off…
THE SMART MONEY IS ON…
Bidvest Wits
Current log position:2nd (12 games, 26 points)
Prepared by Gavin Hunt, a coach who knows exactly what it takes to win the PSL title, having done so three years in a row with SuperSport United, this is Wits’ best shot at winning the championship.
A few years ago, the Joburg club dispensed with its philosophy of being just a developmental club. A great deal of money was poured in by the club’s financial backers and they made it clear they didn’t want to be among the also-rans.
They wanted to challenge for, and win, the title. To make that dream a reality, Wits appointed Hunt as coach… and, after a season or two of rebuilding, the Students are now well-placed to launch a strong bid.
THE OUTSIDERS
Platinum Stars
Current log position:5th (11 games, 19 points)
Unfashionable they may be, but when Cavin Johnson is in charge of Platinum Stars, they are always a force to be reckoned with. The last time the Westbury-born coach was at the helm, the Rustenburg side finished the season as league runners-up. This season, he again has them organised and playing some intelligent football.
Mpumalanga Black Aces
Current log position:3rd (12 games, 24 points)
Who would have predicted that, after narrowly avoiding the relegation play-offs last season, Aces would be in such a lofty position. But that’s what Turkish coach Muhsin Ertugral brings…
He has an uncanny knack of lifting the club he takes charge of – and revitalising off-form players. He’s done so brilliantly at the Mpumalanga club and, as long as Ertugral is there, they’ll be competitive.
SuperSport United
Current log position:8th (12 games, 16 points)
There was a time earlier this season when the knives were out for SuperSport coach, Gordon Igesund. After spending a lot of money to overhaul and strengthen the Pretoria team’s squad, the team’s mediocre performances saw them tumble down the standings.
Igesund was adamant that things would turn around, that the new players just needed time to adjust, and his belief has been rewarded with SuperSport screaming up the standings in recent weeks. With so many good players in the team, it can only get better next year – and there’s no reason why, if things go their way, they could be among the challengers.
THE LOONY TUNES
Orlando Pirates
Current log position:13th (10 games, 11 points)
The CAF Confederations Cup campaign, which saw Pirates make it to the final, affected their league form. But Pirates are too good a team to keep down – and they have too good a squad to disregard. If they get back on track next year, which they should, then they are certainly going to rocket up the standings.
Ajax Cape Town
Current log position:12th (10 games, 11 points)
The latter half of the season was a major disappointment. Ajax kicked off the campaign in promising form, and even led the table at one stage. But a seven-game winless run towards the end of the year, coupled with some woeful finishing in front of goal, has left the Capetonians in a precarious position. But, if they regain the form that saw them finish last season in fifth place on the log, and this season win the MTN8, then who knows… But, then again, I suppose pigs can also fly…