Gordon Igesund insists he is not under any pressure at SuperSport United – but, rest assured, the heat is on.
The former Bafana Bafana coach has spent heavily in beefing up SuperSport United’s squad this season, with the definite intention of challenging for the PSL title, but things are not going according to plan. Currently languishing in 12th position, with only 10 points from 10 games, Igesund’s job is certainly in jeopardy.
On Saturday, Igesund brings his SuperSport team to the Mother City to face Ajax Cape Town at Athlone Stadium (kick-off 8.15pm) – and the 59-year-old coach, one of the most successful coaches in the PSL, desperately needs a win to give himself some breathing space.
Having signed New Zealand defender Michael Boxall, Australian midfielder Isaka Cernak and Bafana Bafana boss man Dean Furman, much was expected from the ambitious Pretoria club this season.
Other interesting names in the SuperSport squad, from a Cape perspective, are youngsters Fagri Lakay and Morne Nel. Two of the most promising emerging talents, a great deal is still to come from Mitchell’s Plain midfielder Nel and Manenberg striker Lakay.
But development is the last thing on Igesund’s mind at the moment. Results and points are uppermost on his agenda, which should translate into the coach opting for experience when they come up against the Capetonians on Saturday.
“There’s no pressure,” said Igesund. “I think we’ve shown some improvement in our league form of late, and we just have to carry on in the same fashion. If we can go on a winning run, we’ll move up the table very quickly. While we haven’t started well, it’s still too early to make any judgements. There’s still a long way to go…”
Igesund, though, with all his years in the coaching game, will be well aware of the axe hovering over his head. Rumour has it that SuperSport are already in the market for a new man. Current Ajax head coach Roger de Sa was believed to have been at the top of SuperSport’s shopping list, but he has since committed himself to the Cape side.
Further grapevine speculation suggests that, if Igesund’s fortunes don’t change soon, then former Kaizer Chiefs coach, Stuart Baxter, could be the man next in line.
Ajax, meanwhile, are keen to get back into action. They had two games postponed to mourn the death of right-back Cecil Lolo and they looked rusty in a subsequent 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates at the Cape Town Stadium 12 days ago.
The Capetonians are currently in ninth position on the PSL standings, with 11 points from eight games, and the fact that they’ve been idle over the last month hasn’t helped at all. Games under the belt are what Ajax are in desperate need of…
De Sa will be keeping fingers crossed that his star players return unscathed to training this week – Rivaldo Coetzee with the senior Bafana Bafana squad and Abbubaker Mobara and Riyaad Norodien from national Under-23 duty.
Further team news is that Ghanaian defender, Lawrence Lartey, spent last week training with the squad. De Sa is having a look at the highly rated 22-year-old, with the intention of bringing him on board if he impresses.
Ajax are keen to come away victorious on Saturday as the PSL is scheduled to have another two-week break. Having just returned from the international break, the PSL will shut down again next week for the Under-23 Eight Nations event in Senegal (from November 28 to December 12). The top three countries at the tournament qualify for next year’s Rio Olympic Games.
“It’s the same for all the clubs,” said De Sa. “So there’s no use complaining… that’s how the fixture programme has been prepared, and every club knew about it at the beginning of the season.
“It does mean that the second half of the season will be difficult. I think we are going to have to play 19 games in about 12 weeks.”
PSL FIXTURES
Saturday: Wits v Golden Arrows; Polokwane City v Platinum Stars; Maritzburg Utd v Kaizer Chiefs; Mamelodi Sundowns v Free State Stars; Ajax Cape Town v SuperSport United (Athlone Stadium, 8.15pm)
Sunday: Jomo Cosmos v Chippa United; Bloemfontein Celtic v MP Black Aces - Cape Times