We’re one week into the new Betway Premiership campaign, and the league table already has a familiar look to it — sort of.
Mamelodi Sundowns, who have been the South African champions for what seems like forever, are near the top, and Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are behind them.
Okay, Chiefs and Pirates are also on three points, and trail Sundowns on goal difference. But if the league was stopped today, it would be yet another season where the Brazilians finish above the country’s biggest clubs.
IOL Sport takes a look at some take-aways after the first week of action in the Betway Premiership.
Sundowns are finished? They didn’t get the memo
After Rulani Mokwena was sacked by the club despite delivering a seventh straight league title, many speculated that the club’s dominance of South African football was about to come to an end.
After Manqoba Mngqithi took charge of the club, and they were dumped out of the MTN8 by Stellenbosch FC, it seemed as though the writing about Sundowns’ downfall was on the wall.
However, the way they started their league campaign suggests knocking them off their perch will be tough. In the first half of their game against SuperSport United, they struggled to break down their rivals and looked vulnerable at times. But that was because Themba Zwane was not on the park.
When he did come on as a substitute in the 60s minute with the game goalless, the game changed on its head completely, and within four minutes, Sundowns were 2-0 up, with the veteran registering an assist to his name.
At 35, Zwane is no spring chicken, and the challenge now for Sundowns will be how to manage his minutes.
Ronwen Williams is the boss
The Bafana Bafana captain’s performance for his club on Tuesday was another reminder why he is among the nominees for the Yashin Trophy at the upcoming Ballon d’Or Awards.
He is hands down the best goalkeeper in the country, and you can even make an argument that he’s the GOAT of South African goalkeepers.
Whenever the defence allowed any chances, Williams was there to keep the ball out of the goal. He might not go on to win the Yashin Trophy, but damn it, what a player.
Those Itumeleng Khune vs Ronwen Williams talks need to end right now. Khune was good in his day, but he was no Williams. End of story.
Kaizer Chiefs look like they’ve turned the corner
In the last couple of years, whenever Kaizer Chiefs went a goal down, their heads dropped and players ran out of ideas while the coach on the sidelines panicked.
Last weekend, there was none of that. When Marumo Gallants took the lead in their league opener in Bloem, the Chiefs players simply pulled their socks up and just got on with it.
They eventually pulled back level with a goal from Mduduzi Shabalala, and went on to win the game late in the second half, courtesy of Mfundo Vilakazi.
It was refreshing to see, and new head coach Nasreddine Nabi will be hoping his team can carry on with their newfound confidence.
However, they will be foolish for thinking the corner has already been turned after just one week of action.
Orlando Pirates were also good
Like their rivals Chiefs, Orlando Pirates had to come from a goal down to win their league opener on Wednesday night.
But for Pirates, they’ve been here before. Jose Riveiro looks like he’s finally starting to get the best out of his charges. Should Sundowns slip up, RIveiro and his team will be right there to take advantage.
Stellenbosch FC are struggling without Iqraam Rayners and Deano van Rooyen
Selling Iqraam Rayners and Deano van Rooyen has set Stellenbosch back a few years. The two played a key role in helping the club challenge for continental qualification last season, and would have hoped to kick on this season.
They then went and sold their best two players. Without Rayners contribution in the final third, and Van Rooyen’s dangerous runs from full back, Stellies are just not the same team.
That was evident in their 2-0 loss at home to Golden Arrows.
Can any of the KZN teams impress this season?
On the subject of Golden Arrows, they made a good start to the league. No KZN team finished in the top half last season, but the way Arrows have started the campaign, they will be confident of securing Top 8 football next season.
AmaZulu and their dodgy goalkeeper Veli Mothwa, and Royal AM with their Nepo Baby chairman Andile Mpisane, are just not going to fly the KZN flag this season.
IOL Sport