Andrew Muchineripi : Soccer
More than a quarter of the 1998/99 Castle Premiership fixtures have been completed and the shock leaders are Bloemfontein Celtic, a club traditionally associated with the relegation zone rather than the top of the table.
How have the 18 teams fared in the first nine rounds of the richest national championship in Africa? Here is the Muchineripi guide based on watching some sides regularly and some occasionly.
1 Bloemfontein Celtic
(Played 9, Won 6, Drew 2, Lost 1, Goals for 12, Goals against 4, Points 20)
Anyone predicting a four-point lead for Phunya Sele Sele after nine rounds would have been a serious candidate for scorn. Kaizer Chiefs and defending champions Sundowns are among their victims and success has been achieved with a team consisting almost exclusively of “unknowns”.
2 Kaizer Chiefs
(P9 W4 D4 L1 F14 A6 P16)
The Amakhosi look set to stage their strongest title challenge since winning the 1992 title. Excitable and knowledgable Yugoslav coach Paul Dolezar has strength in depth matched only by Pirates and Sundowns. The big difference this season is that he has finally found a consistent scorer in Pollen Ndlanya.
3 Sundowns
(P9 W4 D3 L2 F17 A10 P15)
The title-holders with the star-studded cast have recovered well from a 4-0 second- round hiding by Pretoria neighbours SuperSport, and the acquisition of Nigerian defender Muisa Ajoa will strengthen a sometimes suspect central defence. The scoring form of captain Daniel Mudau has been a revelation.
4 Amazulu
(P9 W4 D3 L2 F14 A10 P15)
After two narrow escapes from relegation, the Usuthu are enjoying a return to the form that placed them among the most respected teams in the country at the start of the 1990s. It cannot just be a coincidence that Clive Barker was in charge then and is back at the helm.
5 Manning Rangers
(P9 W3 D5 L1 F13 A4 P14)
The inaugural Premiership winners have done well considering many games have been shoehorned between African Champions League and Rothmans Cup engagements. Zimbabwean Innocent Chikoya ranks among the best wingbacks in the league while much is expected of fit-again striker Keryn Jordan.
6 Cape Town Spurs
(P9 W3 D4 L2 F15 A9 P13)
The lengthy absence of injured Zimbabwe striker Ian Gorowa has blunted the Eagles attack, whose season got off to a disappointing start when a disallowed goal that TV replays proved was legitimate robbed them of victory over Sundowns. Veteran David Modise remains a class act in midfield.
7 Supersport United
(P9 W3 D4 L2 F12 A7 P13)
New coach Roy Matthews and assistant-cum- player Thomas Madigage have done an excellent job in transforming the strugglers of last season into top-eight candidates with the minimum of fuss and few changes in personnel. Striker Makuka Makinta has struck four goals and is proving a useful buy from Jomo Cosmos.
8 Wits University
(P9 W3 D4 L2 F8 A10 P13)
The Clever Boys occupy the position they finished last season in and it is a fair reflection of a team that is too good to struggle but not good enough to be title challengers. Coach Eddie Lewis has assembled a hard-working mix of youth and experience that will rarely disappoint the Milpark faithful.
9 Orlando Pirates
(P9 W3 D3 L3 F10 A8 P12)
It is the same old story from the Buccaneers – superb against the best while battling against modest opposition. Losses to Amazulu, Santos and Cosmos could prove costly come the end of the season. The 1994 champions score frequently, but lack the defensive solidity that was once a hallmark of the side.
10 QwaQwa Stars
(P9 W3 D3 L3 F10 A9 P12)
Annoyingly inconsistent, they wiped out a two-goal deficit to hold Pirates and walloped Swallows on visits to Gauteng before slumping at home to Amazulu. It must all be extremely frustrating for former Malawi striker Peter “Thunderboots” Nyama, who is arguably the most underrated Premiership coach.
11 Hellenic
(P9 W3 D3 L3 F7 A11 P12)
The Greek Gods have tended to promise more than they achieve and this season is following a similar course with some of the most promising young footballers in the country not reaching the expected heights. Easily the worst display was a five-goal mauling from Chiefs at Johannesburg Stadium.
12 Jomo Cosmos
(P9 W2 D5 L2 F9 A9 P11)
There is no truth in the rumour that owner- chair-coach Jomo “The Black Prince” Sono is considering renaming his beloved club Jomo Bucuane Cosmos. Mozambican striker Manuel “Tico-Tico” Bucuane has scored eight of the nine goals as the traditionally slow- starting Ezenkosi find their feet.
13 Bush Bucks
(P9 W2 D5 L2 F8 A9 P11)
More was expected of the Imbalabala from Umtata, who have unearthed a highly promising young goalkeeper in Gerald Wagner, but lack a consistent scorer since The Silver Fox – Wilfred Mugeyi – joined the growing band of African footballers seeking fame and fortune in China.
14 Moroka Swallows
(P9 W2 D3 L4 F7 A13 P9)
How sad to see the once mighty Beautiful Birds perched just above the danger zone. The team has talent, notably in midfield where Jakhonia Cibi is a bundle of tricks, but it lacks the necessary height and weight and Brazilian coach Jayr Emilio Mazzoni does not appear to be a miracle worker.
15 Seven Stars
(P9 W1 D4 L4 F4 A10 P7)
After winning their opening fixture at Moroka Swallows, the newly promoted club have gone eight matches without a win. Unlucky last-minute losers to Chiefs in the first Premiership match staged at Newlands rugby ground, Stars lack punch with just four goals and this problem needs to be rectified.
16 Santos
(P9 W1 D4 L4 F7 A19 P7)
We are often told that the People’s Team are the sleeping giants of the Cape, so when are they going to wake up? A shock 1-0 victory over Pirates was some consolation for humiliating away losses to Sundowns and Manning Rangers. Kenyan captain Musa Otieno is the tallest member of the Premiership family.
17 Vaal Professionals
(P9 W1 D3 L5 F7 A17 P6)
A few seasons ago the Vaal Monsters were a match for the best at home and away. Not any more as their only win came against even weaker Dynamos. The close-season transfers of leading midfielders Jabu Mnguni and Ernest Marumo suggests the management is more interested in balancing the books than winning matches.
18 Dynamos
(P9 W1 D2 L6 F4 A13 P5)
Favourites to fill one of the two relegation positions come next May as much because of events off the field as on it. Owner Peter Rabali hires and fires coaches with gay abandon and it is doubtful if even 1998 World Cup-winning coach Aime Jacquet from France could achieve results with such a limited squad.