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Pitso Mosimane’s Mamelodi Sundowns must be odds-on favourite to win the Absa Premiership title as the league resumes on Tuesday.
Bafana Bastyle had everybody eating their dust as they galloped to the 2015/16 title with a haul of 71 points – 14points ahead of second-placed Bidvest Wits, who finished with 57.
The Tshwane side did not dominate only on the pitch, but went on to make a clean sweep at the annual Premier Soccer League awards, which were held at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, in May.
Their players won Footballer of the Season, Absa Premiership Player’s Player of the Season, Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season (all Khama Billiat, who collected R450 000 in total prize money), Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season (Denis Onyango), Absa Premiership Defender of the Season (Thabo Nthethe), and Mosimane walked away with the Absa Premiership Coach of the Season award.
They have not only retained almost all their players, but have also added a few quality weapons to their arsenal to attack the 2016/17 season.
Their marquee signing is no doubt Sibusiso Vilakazi, who they snatched ahead of other suitors such as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Furthermore, they did not have an off-season as they have been campaigning in the CAF Champions League, where they have reached the semifinals.
This gives them an advantage of having players who are far more match-fit than their peers.
This might catch up with them later on in the season, as witnessed by Pirates who had a different team altogether pitching for the continental tournament and domestic duties, with dire consequences.
However, only a fool would bet against the Brazilians defending their league title.
The chasing pack
While Sundowns took the league title at a canter last season, opposition will be more solidified this time around.
In Kaizer Chiefs’ Steve Komphela and Orlando Pirates’ Eric Tinkler, Mosimane was, with due respect, faced with novices who still have to lay claim to any silverware.
Seasoned campaigners such as Muhsin Ertugral (Mpumalanga Black Aces) and Ernst Middendorp (Maritzburg United) were faced with a situation similar to bringing a knife to a gunfight, given the squads they had at their disposal.
Ertugral did the best he could and achieved a near-miracle by finishing fourth on the final standings. This is probably one of the reasons that earned him his current contract at Pirates, where he is now in charge of a far better armoury.
We all know the story of Mazinyo.com. His Maritzburg United managed to survive on the last day of the season, proving true that old saying originating from Richard Wagner’s
Bidvest Wits’ Gavin Hunt, who has a trio of championships under his belt, was mostly let down by his charges who tended to blow hot and cold, lacking the consistency that is a prerequisite in the Premier Soccer League.
Stuart Baxter came in at the tail-end of the season when his main goal was to save the sinking SuperSport United. A mission he carried out with equanimity, even adding the Nedbank Cup, which he clasped from the claws of Pirates.
Ertugral, Baxter and Hunt, as well as Dan Malesela, who guided unfancied Chippa United to sixth position, will mount a far better challenge, and it won’t be a surprise if one of them upsets Mosimane’s apple cart.
Platinum Stars’ Cavin Johnson can also come in as a rank outsider.
Also-rans
The likes of Bloemfontein Celtic, Ajax Cape Town and Golden Arrows should finish somewhere mid-table or, with some luck, can make the top eight.
Relegation candidates
As usual, expect newly promoted sides Baroka FC and Highlands Park to struggle to steady their footing in the new environment.
The instability caused by the failed sale of Free State Stars to Moroka Swallows could have some negative effects on them, and Ea Lla Koto might find themselves in a dogfight with Baroka FC and Highlands Park for the dreaded drop to the National First Division.
