Signs are that Bucs' Betway bubble has burst

From the very beginning, the 2024/25 season promised to be the start of a new chapter for the Premier Soccer League (PSL). New sponsors Betway, new (yet to be unveiled) trophy and improved prize money (R20m) for the winners.

But most importantly, it looked like Mamelodi Sundowns would finally have a worthy opponent after a seven-season stranglehold on the league.

Since the dramatic Covid-era campaign where The Brazilians won the title on the very last day of the season, all the other title races have been pitiful yawns, ending long before retail shops start putting up Christmas decorations.

But as the new season started, Orlando Pirates, runners-up in the previous two seasons, looked to be a team prepared to go pound-for-pound with Downs until the very end.

Man of Steel

Unlike previous seasons when they released dozens of players only to recruit dozens more, Pirates seemed more calculating this time, buying only what they needed.

And key players hit form at the right time. Young Relebohile Mofokeng emerged with enterprise. Marksman Tshegofaso Mabasa returned from Moroka Swallows in menacing mood. Patrick Maswanganyi cast himself in orchestra conductor role. Anchorman Makhehleni Makhaula reminded one of Steve Austin, the Man of Steel. And Mohau Nkota arrived with a bang.

The team didn’t have any expensive South Americans but looked strong enough to be declared title contenders — seven victories on the trot is usually a credible sign of title credentials. Besides, Downs appeared vulnerable, dropping points to Polokwane City, who also crashed them out of the MTN8, and they looked unconvincing in the qualifying rounds of the Caf Champions League.

And then they fired the coaches… Advantage Orlando Pirates, so it seemed.

Fast forward six months, and Sundowns sit on the summit, an ocean of 16 points separating the Pretorians from the Sowetans.

Much like the Manchester City of yesteryear or this season’s Liverpool, Sundowns are so consistent that to keep up with them, you have got to win every game.

Weapon of mass destruction

What went wrong, We maBhakabhaka kwenzenjani? The fearsome RRS forward weapon of mass destruction has proved to be the telling difference. The prowess of Lucas Ribeiro has been a powerful propeller, the Brazilian a crucial chink in The Brazilians’ armour against Jose Riveiro’s men.

While Mabasa’s 17-goal tally garnered him the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot gong, he has only managed five from 17 matches. Fellow frontman Evidence Makgopa sits on four while Deon Hotto is the third highest Bucs scorer on three.

By contrast, Ribeiro has rifled in 13 in 21 games for the reigning champions. The other components of the RRS, Iqraam Rayners — who finished a goal behind Mabasa last season — is on nine and Peter Shalulile on five. Tashreeq Matthews contributed four and Jayden Adams three.

Much like the Manchester City of yesteryear or this season’s Liverpool, Downs are so consistent that to keep up with them you have got to win every game. Losses to Stellenbosch, Cape Town City, Sundowns and Marumo Gallants seem to have burst the Bucs bubble.

Contenders from pretenders

February is the month that separated contenders from pretenders, with Sundowns laying down the marker in fiery form.

They won six out of seven games, four by four-goal tallies (4-0 Arrows, 4-1 Pirates, 4-1 TS Galaxy at home and 4-2 Sekhukhune away). These were complemented by 3-0 and 3-1 wins away to SuperSport United and Gallants with a 1-0 loss to Galaxy their only blot.

The riveting form earned coach Miguel Cardoso and Ribeiro the coach and player of the month accolades, the second time the duo got the plaudits.

While the embarrassment of riches at Cardoso’s disposal has enabled him to rotate his squad more than all the other teams (102 starting line-up changes, as per stats from Otpa Jabu), Riveiro has only made 31 starting changes, seven more than the beleaguered bottom of the table Royal AM, aka Sars FC [who have not kicked a ball this year].

At the back, little separates the sides. Sundowns conceded 12, one less than Pirates for whom Sipho Chaine kept goal in all but one, while injury to No 1 gloveman Ronwen Williams has seen Cardoso alternating between Jody February and Dennis Onyango.

Injury has beset the Pirates rearguard. Riveiro started with an Olisa Ndah and Sesane centre-back pairing. After Nda joined Thapelo Xoki on the injury list, Nkosinathi Sibisi was paired with Thabiso Sesane. When the latter ruptured his tendon — and Sandile Mthethwa left on a free transfer — Xoki reunited with Sibisi. He seemed rusty in the recent 0-2 loss to Marumo Gallants.

Sundowns’ insatiable appetite for big signings was evident when they reinforced their midfield with Adams, added defender Lucas Suarez to their South American ensemble, and loaded Bafana striker Lebo Mothiba to their lethal arsenal.

Champions League onslaught

Sundowns’ acquisitions suggest they are stockpiling with an eye that extends beyond entrenching their monopoly on domestic territory but building a beast to launch a Champions League onslaught and make an impression at the Club World Cup in June.

Pirates have looked inward for incomings. Diski Development Challenge products have debuted on Champions League duty. Mohau Nkota (then 19) celebrated his senior start with a sensational brace against CR Belouizdad.

Riveiro also gave academy graduate Siyabonga Ndlozi a taste of first team action against Al Ahly. Last week Ndlozi (22) and Mbekezeli Mbokazi (19) played in the 1-0 victory away at Chippa United.

Bucs have four games in hand. They will boost their tally to 51, four points behind Sundowns, if they beat Stellenbosch United, Sundowns, Polokwane City and SuperSport United and reduce the gap.

That’s assuming The Brazilians will fumble against AmaZulu, Pirates, Stellenbosch and the imaginary Royal AM. Chances of that happening are as improbable as Donald Trump identifying Lesotho on the world map.

Even for the eternal optimist among the Ghosts, the Sea Robbers ship seems set to dock at the bridesmaid harbour for the third time on the trot and Sundowns appear poised to samba to a record-extending eighth straight title.

The league trophy whose identity remains a mystery nine matches away from the final round of the season seems destined to be draped by the mellow yellow ribbons of the men from Mamelodi.