Team most likely to be crowned champions: Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns have the strongest combination that blew everyone away last season, and they’ve grown in strength.
Rulani Mokwena is hungry to prove himself. Small doubts remain about how the departure of Steve Komphela affects the make-up of the team. They compete in five domestic competitions — DStv Premiership, Caf Champions League, MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup — and are going big for the Champions League.
Other teams have also strengthened, so it should be a closer call, but still it’s them.
The chasing pack: Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows and Cape Town City.
Under Jose Riveiro, who won the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup trophies last season, the Sea Robbers have strengthened well and had a great preseason in Spain. SuperSport United have beefed up for the first time in ages and Gavin Hunt always goes big in the league, and has vowed to win at least one cup competition.
Kaizer Chiefs are an unknown quantity but Molefi Ntseki is hungry to prove detractors wrong — and they have made decent signings. Moroka Swallows and Cape Town City should be up there in the mix of title chasers.
Team which has made the best signings: Sundowns
Frankly, the best team last season has made the best signings — that’s how the defending champions keep ahead of the pack, season after season.
They've signed Bathusi Aubaas, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Thapelo Maseko, Lesiba Nku and Júnior Mendieta — five players dripping with quality. When it comes to great deals on mostly frees and “good business” in the window, SuperSport have done well too. They are specialists in this regard.
A coach set to spring a surprise: Steve Komphela
Swallows have also made good signings, including experienced midfield general Andile Jali from Sundowns and well-travelled defensive midfielder Lantshene Phalane, formerly with Royal AM, could bring much grit and stability. The Birds’ run to the top eight last season under caretaker coach Musa Nyatama, who is now Komphela’s second in command, was impressive, and he’s still there to learn from Komphela. Swallows have their full name back and new sponsors. Seems like the kind of environment where the philosopher coach can have fun again as head coach.
A coach most likely to get the chop: Morgan Mammila
It’s frankly, a bit of a circus out there under Siviwe Mpengesi in the Eastern Cape. Few will be surprised if Chippa United were to be renamed Boswell Wilkie United. Mammila didn’t last long at the club last season (after Mpengesi vowed not to fire him, something the serial dismisser has previously said about other coaches). Mammila had vowed never to coach again, and now he’s back. He seems an earnest guy who’s chasing his dream to be a great coach. But an administrator on the bench — really guys?
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.