Dstv Premiership Preview

October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 Athi Tsotsi 0 Comments

And just like that the new football season in South Africa is upon us, the new league known as the Dstv Premiership starts this weekend, and according to Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother, ‘new is always better,’ and if we are to believe him, this season is going to be better.

The new season will see three new teams in Swallows, Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila and TS Galaxy join the Premier Division. The new teams will be a breath of fresh air, it’s always nice to see new faces or teams in this case. Sure, many are still grumbling about how TTM and TS Galaxy got to the premium division, but it’s going they bought their way to the top because the promotion and relegation system does not accommodate the introduction of new teams on a regular.

With that being said, the new teams are automatic contenders for the relegation slots, they will be in a relegation dog fight. Welcoming them will be Baroka, Black Leopards and AmaZulu; who after change of ownership are aiming for a top four finish, and they are not bluffing.

The structure in the midtable will be similar to last season, nobody ever pays attention to it as it does not entice much drama. The teams in those positions go about doing their business swiftly, they touch their 30+ points and secure their safety, that’s the priority for them. Expect Golden Arrows and Stellenbosch to move with ease this season because they are stable teams.

Maritzburg United, Bloemfontein Celtics and Cape Town City will once again have top 8 finishes, and Chippa United to join them, I know they are not going to sack their head coach this season. All of these sides are well coached, and when they play against other teams in their circle they win, they beef themselves up instead of only showing up when facing the big three.

Now we move on to the contenders, must mention that the extinction of Bidvest Wits is going to be felt, a title contender is gone and that weakness the standard of the league, they will be less big games to look forward to. In the title race SuperSport will play a huge role, this is a club that wants to push for the league and not be comfortable with only winning cup competition; they have been at the pinnacle before and this new season is the best for them to try and get there.

The big three, defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns alongside Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are the prime title contenders. But in reality, it’s Pirates title to lose, let me explain.

With Sundowns it’ll take time to move on from Pitso Mosimane, the club was moulded in his identity when he was there and they were successful, moving on from that is going to be difficult. The appointments of co-head coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena seem to be right in terms of continuity plus the addition of the experienced Steve Komphela. But they are going to find it hard in their first season together at the helm.

The acquisition of Gavin Hunt is the most important bit of business Kaizer Chiefs have done in recent years, they have had some mock shows since the departure of Stuart Baxter and they have finally replaced him with a credible coach, one who matches their pedigree. But with the transfer ban in place he has not been able to sign any players, although he has a spine to work with and one of the continents best players. The failure to sign new players, or wingers is going to slow the progress for Hunt.

Pirates are going to win the league title because they have signed three established internationals; Thulani Hlatshwayo, Deon Hotto and Richard Ofori.

Predicted league table at the end of the season.