Andrew Muchineripi Soccer
The festive-season feasting on turkey, ham and plum pudding surely led to much moaning and groaning on the training grounds of Castle Premiership clubs this week as semi-fit players prepared for a resumption of hostilities.
Mid-table Cape Town Spurs and tail- enders Dynamos kicked off the second half of the 1998/99 league season on Thursday night and by Monday evening a full nine-match programme will have been completed.
Pace-setters Manning Rangers, Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns are in action on Saturday evening with the Mighty Maulers hosting Hellenic, the Amakhosi entertaining Seven Stars and Sundowns travelling to Wits University.
Rangers coach Gordon Igesund, chasing his second Premiership title in three seasons, is concerned that the mid- season break may have upset the rhythm of a team that has been in irresistible form.
It never ceases to amaze this humble, part-time scribe how a team of largely ordinary footballers can crucify technically more gifted opponents, and I suspect much of the credit must go to “sergeant major” Igesund.
It also amazes me how this 40-something former professional player has not suffered a major heart attack given the tension-filled frenzy he creates during each round of the richest national championship on the continent.
While most clubs are grateful for one consistent scorer, the Maulers have three in leading marksman Solo Ndimande, Keryn Jordan and burly Zimbabwean Gilbert Mushangazhike.
This trio has contributed 23 of the 37 goals scored by Rangers in 18 matches and represents the sharp edge of a challenge by the Durban club for further glory at the expense of traditional giants Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns.
Rangers also boast arguably the finest Premiership left wingback in another Zimbabwean import, Innocent Chikoya, who runs strongly, delivers many quality crosses, and packs a thunderous drive.
With deepest respect, the other Maulers are more artisan than artist; strong on fitness and commitment rather than silky skills. They perform the basics well, lest the screams of Igesund burst their eardrums.
Where Rangers are vulnerable is a lack of strength in depth. A rash of bans or injuries could expose a squad lacking a deep vein of talent like those of the Amakhosi, Buccaneers and Brazilians.
Remember an exhausted Rangers crashing out of the Rothmans Cup against Seven Stars in Cape Town? Remember Igesund exhorting his battle-weary troops on while they dragged almost lifeless bodies around Athlone Stadium.
Much of this weariness stemmed from competing in the African Champions League and journeys to Cte d’Ivoire, Morocco and Tanzania. While the Maulers will reap long-term benefits from these adventures, it also left them breathless.
Chiefs, chasing a long-overdue title after last winning the championship in 1992, could probably beat many Premiership rivals with a reserve team that until recently included one Theophilus “Doctor” Khumalo.
The rebirth of Khumalo in a new defensive, central-midfield role has been one of the success stories of the season and a footballer still idolised by millions appears to have rescued a career plunging towards oblivion.
Franco-Yugoslav coach Paul Dolezar is spoilt for choice in most departments and another find has been Namibian defender Robert Auseb, who ranks beside Papi Khomane of Orlando Pirates as the best Premiership man-markers.
Overconfidence born from a belief that they have a natural right to success could pose the biggest threat to Chiefs, who trail Rangers by seven points but have played two matches less.
Cast your mind back to Athlone Stadium in December and the shock 4-2 loss to lowly Santos. When goals by Pollen Ndlanya and Thabang Lebese gave Amakhosi a 2-1 second-half lead, they seemed to assume another three points were safe. But the most popular and successful club in domestic football history were undone by the direct runs and crosses of Jerome McCarthy (the elder brother of Benni) and the clinical finishing of David Notoane.
Defending champions Sundowns can match Chiefs player for player as the extraordinary closeness of most meetings between them proves. However, the Brazilians have a knack of dropping unexpected points against lesser lights.
Captain Daniel Mudau has been a revelation as a right wingback-cum- striker, scoring 13 league goals, and when wingback Jethro “Lovers” Mohlala becomes more consistent, rivals are truly going to suffer from his power and pace.
Pirates are 12 points off the pace in seventh spot because of erratic form that has produced only seven victories from 17 outings. The Buccaneers have so many stars, but coach Victor Bondarenko has yet to find the best combination.
ENDS