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IOL News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
PSL must do much better next season after disruptive campaign
Shauwn Mkhize Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize saw her club expelled from the Premiership. Photo: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Media Image: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Media Final Whistle Column The teething problems were there even before the season officially got underway, but the masses held their breath, hoping for everything to fall into place. But it wasn't to be. The PSL was brought about disrepute throughout the season, so much so that there'll be better expectations next season. Perhaps the fact that the majority of the fans are not rating the design of the new Premiership trophy by Nelson Makamo sums up this season. Makamo was heavily criticised for his design when the new cup was unveiled last Sunday, with naysayers linking it with the infamous hookah pipes. Betway Squad 📣📣📣 The moment you have been waiting for 🔥🔥🔥 The Betway Premiership Trophy 🏆 Phakamisa izandla Bazalwane 🎉🎉🎉#BetwayPrem #BetwayPremTrophy — Betway ZA (@Betway_za) May 18, 2025 Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ The renowned designer tried to justify himself, saying that he got the idea for the trophy through his ancestors as he wanted to produce something iconic. But the football masses, including yours truly, are having none of that, as his instinctive design didn't align with football heritage often portrayed through silverware. Makamo, also, is just unfortunate that he has suddenly become a sacrificial lamb as some of us have been there even before the start to see the signs of a ticking bomb. The multi-billion rand Premiership was initially shaken when broadcasting giants DStv pulled out as the main sponsor of top-flight football at the 11th hour amid financial struggles. That all but forced PSL head honcho Irvin Khoza to find an immediate solution, and thanks to his impeccable leadership, it wasn't long that the product attracted interest. In the end, though, it was betting heavyweights Betway that won the bid of being the league's main sponsor, changing how some people viewed sports betting. But that wouldn't deter the overall feeling that Khoza had hit a jackpot by bringing Betway on board, given their vast financial power and growth over the years. Betway and the PSL, however, said, at the time, that they were not yet ready to reveal the championship trophy as they were still in discussion with a few top designers for expert input. In the end, it was Makamo that won the bid. The revered designer got a lot of stick from the masses after his masterpiece wasn't deemed worth it for a football competition. Betway Squad 📣📣📣 The moment you have been waiting for 🔥🔥🔥 The Betway Premiership Trophy 🏆 Phakamisa izandla Bazalwane 🎉🎉🎉#BetwayPrem #BetwayPremTrophy — Betway ZA (@Betway_za) May 18, 2025 But be that as it may, the PSL's season was already rocked, largely due to the expulsion of Royal AM, whose season had to be declared null and void. Royal AM brought the league into disrepute after the club's president, Shauwn Mkhize, owed money to SARS, resulting in the curator taking over assets, including the football club. And with Mkhize unable to pay the curator the sum of R40 million, that led to the curator putting up the club for sale, resulting in the no payments as the PSL also froze grants. And after no entity successfully bought Royal AM early this year, the PSL Board of Governors had no choice but to vote in favour of the expulsion of Thwihli Thwahla. It was a dark time for those who were under the payroll of the club, but not its owners and the management team, as they brought the league into disrepute from the outset. When Royal AM joined the elite league, they made a mockery of its professionalism, paying player bonuses on the pitch, fighting with fellow officials and turning stands into parties. And so their questionable deeds finally caught up with the club, but it's unfortunate that it was at the expense of the league and its stakeholders, Betway and Nedbank. And we've done it🏆 — Durban City FC (@DurbanCity_FC) May 18, 2025 Right now, there's a pending case regarding the improper registration of Sifiso Magawana by NFD log leaders Durban City, hence their automatic promotion has been put on pause. It is not the first time that the PSL have been embroiled in a promotion saga related due to improper registration, so that's a story for another day. But overall, it's been a disruptive season for the PSL in the top-flight, so expectations will be rife for things to improve significantly next season.
IOL News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Coastal clubs were their own worst enemies in the Premiership this season
Steve Barker Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker came close to winning a trophy this season, but just fell short in two competitions. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Final Whistle Column The big three of SA football – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns – all won a piece of silverware in the same season in a while. That was pleasing for their fans as it also signalled why Gauteng remains the harbour of local football in the country. Sundowns were the big winners, though, winning their record-extending eighth Premiership title in a row with a game to spare. But the teams from Soweto gave their staunch supporters something to celebrate as well – Pirates and Chiefs won the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup respectively. Both achievements were historic for either side – Pirates became the first team to win an MTN8 three-peat, while Chiefs bagged their first silverware in 10 seasons. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The domestic honours were all close to staying in Gauteng, but Sundowns missed out on the Carling Knockout to newbies Magesi FC in the final hurdle. It was a disappointing outing for Sundownsm which must have played a part in the dismissal of coach Manqoba Mnqgithi late last year. But the neutral football supporter – like yours truly – feels it is befitting that the fourth trophy went to Limpopo, instead of the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal or Eastern Cape. Most of the coastal clubs have failed to step up this season as they've either performed below-par on the pitch or in the boardroom this campaign. The expulsion of Pietermaritzburg-based club Royal AM was deserving as they brought the league into disrepute, leading to their season being declared null and void. Their provincial counterparts, AmaZulu, Golden Arrows and Richards Bay, have yet again failed to deliver when it matters the most: on the field. As a result, it's only AmaZulu from the lot who are guaranteed top-flight football next season for now as Arrows and Richards Bay are still flirting with the playoffs. It's fast becoming a norm for KZN teams to b drawn in the relegation debate with every passing season, something that's disappointing, given their vast heritage. Usuthu, for instance, boast a rich history as they have one of the most following in the country, thanks to the support of the Zulu nation. As a result, Arthur Zwane will be crossing fingers that he at least cements their top-eight spot in order to play MTN8 football next season, something that will increase their silverware chances. The coastal-based club that has managed to at least try to and keep up with their inland counterpart this season is Stellenbosch FC, who are very unfortunate to end the season trophy-less. Stellies lost to Pirates in the MTN8 final and Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final following another gallant campaign from coach Steve Barker and his troops. However, not the same praise can be reserved for Stellies' cross-town rivals Cape Town City as they've had a torrid season. City fell from grace this season, so much so that they are all but bound to play in the playoffs next month as they occupy the embarrassing spot with two games to play. Their poor run of form this season, which has seen them bag only 23 points from 26 games, incredibly came under three coaches. Eric Tinkler started the season and was replaced by Muhsin Ertugral on New Year's Eve, before he was fired and replaced by Diogo Peral recently. The latter has also found the going tough, so much so that he has only salvaged a point from four games, and that's why their playoff participation will be confirmed if they fail to beat Polokwane City today. Meanwhile, Chippa United are yet again safe from relegation this season, adding to last season's decent run. Cut coach Thabo September's troops haven't been at their best recently. The Gqeberha-based club recently lost the last four games, including the penultimate clash, which saw the Brazilians being crowned the kings of SA football yet again!
