Everyone fan has an opinion about the PSL Coach of the Season, but nearly everyone should have a similar shortlist. Three of coaches see their teams in the top four – Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United – with Kaizer Chiefs booting Free State Stars down to fifth this past weekend. The likes of Pitso Mosimane, Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojeric, Luc Eymael and Fadlu Davids have all contributed immensely for their respective clubs.
Mosimane, former African Coach of the Year and 10-time PSL Coach of the Month, is regarded as one of the best local managers we’ve ever seen. He’s ability to lead the team and the number of trophies he has won is unmatched. The former Bafana Bafana boss is still on course to win a memorable treble this season, consisting of the PSL title, the Nedbank Cup and CAF Champions League.
Mamelodi Sundowns are currently top of the log, three points ahead of Orlando Pirates with a game in hand. ‘Jingles’ has done a massive job in keeping all of his players happy and has rotated the squad well which is not an easy thing to do nowadays. Consistency is the most important thing in football and it takes a very good leader to shift the team and still get positive results.
Mosimane has been able to rest a large amount of his best players in some games to avoid fatigue and that has worked out well for the Brazilians as they are still in contest for three major titles – and I’d expect them to win at least one.
Orlando Pirates were horrible last season, losing by heavy scorelines against Tshwane giants, Sundowns and SuperSport United. So bad that they didn’t even make the top eight for the first time ever. Coach Micho has changed all of that. The team is now second on the log, three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. The Buccaneers have been exciting to watch this campaign and they are very dangerous in front of goal, beating both Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 and claimed their first ever Q-innovation.
Most people expected Pirates to compete and at least finish in the top four, however, Micho has surpassed all expectations and shut the mouths of all those who doubted the Serbian. They are now the only team who have a fair chance of catching Sundowns after their superb showings this year. That is a great achievement considering the changes he has made, also considering the fact that it’s only his first season back at the club.
A year ago, Fadlu Davids became one of the youngest coaches in the Absa Premiership when he was interim coach of Maritzburg United before being appointed as head coach at the start of the season.
At only 36 years old, he has proved to the PSL that age is just a number. His team is currently third on the log standings, 10 points behind table-toppers Sundowns. Davids wasn’t expected to achieve all of this in his first season at the helm, with the Team of Choice on course to their highest Premiership finish ever. Not to mention, the KZN-based side are also competing in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
Free State Stars were fighting relegation last season and they appointed Eymael, who is no stranger to South African football as he guided Polokwane City into the top five in his maiden year.
The Belgian coach has once again overachieved in the PSL as his mandate was to avoid relegation with Free State Stars. His team are now fifth on the log, 13 points behind Sundowns. To take a team that was fighting relegation last season and put them in the top four would be a huge achievement for Eymael, who is rumoured to join Kaizer Chiefs next season.
All four contenders bring up a great debate as to who should claim the award, however, my mind seems to be set on one name. Coach Mosimane definitely gets the nod for me. Consistency, being able to keep up with the times, as well as challenging new rivals, season after season, there can only be one Jingles. The master tactician has proved yet again that his Masandawana side have the ability to keep up at the top and are surely destined for glory this campaign.
Written by Banele Pikwa
