Andrew Muchineripi Soccer
Judging by what I read, heard and saw during the last couple of weeks, the Premier Soccer League might as well phone a courier company and ask them to deliver the league trophy and R1-million first-prize cheque to Orlando Pirates.
One newspaper survey had seven of eight scribes tipping the Buccaneers to finish first in the 18-club national championship with title holders Sundowns the popular choice to finish second. Kaizer Chiefs, second for three consecutive years, 1996/1997 winners Manning Rangers, Bob Save Super Bowl holders SuperSport United, AmaZulu and Ajax Cape Town were others to rate highly.
So what does this humble member of the Muchineripi clan make of it all? Having tended to my cattle, I took out a pipe not unlike that used by our number one citizen and calmly reflected on what might unfold. Accuse me of being the devil’s advocate if you must, but I suspect far too many members of the fourth estate are basing their beliefs on foundations no more solid than a Cape beach when the tide comes in.
Before leading Pirates officials Irvin “Iron Duke” Khoza and Lawrence “Big Bear” Ngubane send a petition to the sports editor requesting that my sanity be thoroughly examined, permit me a chance to explain. My first concern about the Buccaneers is purely historical. The boys in black and white have won the championship only once during the 1990s, and by a solitary point from Cape Town Spurs.
My second concern is the amazingly unpredictable nature of the team, who are quite capable of giving Manchester United a run for their money one week and losing to African Wanderers the next. My third concern is that they have sprinted from the starting stalls like an 800m runner – winning the Vodacom Challenge and Iwisa Charity Spectacular competitions – whereas the championship is a marathon.
I suspect a little too much attention has been given to pre-season form and that Pirates are going to discover many obstacles on the path to premiership, Rothmans Cup and Bob Save Super Bowl glory this season.
That said, let me hasten to add that the arrival of Kamaal Sait and Warren Lewis from AmaZulu and Innocent Chikoya and Clinton Larsen from Manning Rangers has undoubtedly strengthened an already formidable squad.
The times they are a-changin’ at the Buccaneers with long-time stalwarts like Gavin “Stability Unit” Lane, Sam Pam, Dumisa Ngobe and John “Dungi” Moeti no longer part of the scenery.
I predict a Bafana Bafana call-up sooner rather than later for Sait, who is an accomplished fullback, both in defence and attack, while Zimbabwean Chikoya is a legend in his own wingback time. Where does this unassuming man get the energy to race up and down the left flank and provide a quality of cross probably surpassed only by the David Beckham of South Africa, new Kaizer Chiefs recruit Jerome McCarthy?
Lewis will bring back the steel lost with the departure of Moeti while I shall watch the progress of Larsen with considerable interest. While good on the ball, I have questioned his physical commitment in the past. Wily Rangers coach Gordon Igesund used Larsen wide on the right in midfield, but Pirates utilised him further infield during the Vodacom Challenge and Charity Spectacular.
The loss of Lane and Pam is compensated for by the return of Guy-Roger Nzeng from Gabon, who must rank among the leading central defenders in Africa.
Yes, Pirates will be there. No, it will not be a cakewalk. Trust Sundowns to remain highly competitive under former Chiefs coach Paul Dolezar and one can never dismiss the Amakhosi.
The best players from Seven Stars and Cape Town Spurs will take time to bed down as Ajax Cape Town, but the financial muscle is there and the coaching expertise in the shape of Leo van Veen from Holland.
Igesund has promised a stylistic transformation at Rangers, which is an interesting development given the remarkable success he had with a group heavy on artisans and light on artists. The addition of former Pirates striker Bruce Ramokadi can only help a frontline already blessed with Keryn Jordan, Gilbert Mushangazhike and Solo Ndimande. Replacing Chikoya could prove the biggest challenge.
Having shocked Chiefs in the Bob Save Super Bowl final, SuperSport must feel the time has come to make a real impact in the championship after finishing ninth, 14th and eighth in previous Premierships.
At the other end of the table, I cannot see African Wanderers surviving unless they invest heavily, and therein lies the problem because they lack the financial resources.
Who will join them in the MTN First Division is more difficult to say, with the other newly promoted club, Classic, Mother City (formerly Spurs) and Santos potential candidates.