SOCCER
Ntuthuko Maphumulo
The Cape-based “People’s Team” Santos did not win the premier soccer league (PSL) championship with a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates on Wednesday but the Bucaneers definitely lost it.
An ill-disciplined display by Pirates finally scuppered any hope they might have had of retaining the title they won last year.
Santos coach Gordon Igesund is three matches away from entering South African soccer’s history book by being the first South African coach to win the league title with three different teams (he won with Manning Rangers in the inaugural PSL season in 1996/97 and with Pirates last season).
Santos goalkeeper Andre Arendse showed why he deserves to be the Bafana Bafana number one as he pulled off a number of saves under pressure, while other contenders for the World Cup-bound squad failed to shine in a crucial game.
Supersport United and, rather remotely, Moroka Swallows could still challenge Santos but Igesund’s side already have one hand on the trophy.
Black Leopards should be careful that they do not feel a backlash from the wounded pride of Pirates when the two teams meet on Saturday. Gavin Hunt’s charges have done tremendously well in their first season in the elite league, holding the number one spot for some time, and they will be hoping to hold on to their top eight spot to ensure they can fight for the R1-million pot in next season’s BP Top 8.
In another weekend game, Kaizer Chiefs take on Sundowns at Ellis Park on Sunday. The glamour boys have a score to settle with Sundowns after they were beaten 1-0 in the first round match at Loftus.
Chiefs should be careful they do not get a double blow in the same week. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) kicked them out of the Cup Winners’ Cup for not honouring the second leg tie against US Transfoot of Madagascar. Chiefs were unable to get a flight to the troubled island in time.
Chiefs should be determined that whatever the punishment meted out to them by CAF for not defending the cup they won last year, it is not exacerbated by their finishing lower than eighth in the league and being unable to defend the BPTop 8 trophy.
Their goalless draw against Amazulu on Wednesday did them no favours. But with Sundowns’s recent inconsistency (they beat Pirates but lost to Hellenic), Chiefs can afford to be optimistic and they have a game in hand.
At the bottom of the table, Classic have already accepted their fate of playing in the first division next season. The contenders for the second relegation spot Amazulu, Hellenic and Bush Bucks are fighting tooth and nail to stay in the elite league.
In the first division the promotion race is hotting up.
From the coastal stream, yo-yo side African Wanderers look set to make their return to the premiership next season, while Dynamos are leading the inland stream. Both have six games left to play.