Betway Premiership: Club guide

SuperSport.com runs an eye over the 16 team that will compete in the top flight this season and asks all the pertinent questions before the kick off on Saturday, September 14. Catch all 240 matches live only on SuperSport.

AmaZulu

Can Usuthu get back into the top half?

AmaZulu had a strong squad last season and yet finished well down the standings, in a disappointing 11th place. They were in contention for a top eight finish until the last weeks of the season but won only two of their last seven league games. More was expected of their Spanish coach Pablo Franco, especially given his past LaLiga experience, and he is under pressure this season to deliver a much better return.

Usuthu have seen two strikers leave in Augustine Chidi Kwem, who is off to Vietnam, and Victor Letsoalo to TS Galaxy and will now look to new loanees from Mamelodi Sundowns – Etiosa Ighodaro and Luvuyo Phewa – to lead their attack. AmaZulu start their season away at Polokwane City and then have a tantalising home against Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on September 25. They will be hoping appositive result sets the tone for a much-improved season.

Last season finish: 11th

Best finish: Champions in 1972 (then known as Zulu Royals)

Opening game: Saturday, September 14 away at Polokwane City

Cape Town City

Will the Citizens challenge at the top?

The Cape Town club were the first to admit that their squad was looking threadbare at the end of last season and chairman John Comitis was then already promising seven new signings. He has since outdone himself with 11 new recruits which has left coach Eric Tinkler purring over their potential and happily complaining he now has a major selection headache.

The coach says it is the best squad that the club have assembled since their inaugural season in 2016-17, although their high profile Angolan addition, international midfield Carlinhos suffered a serious knee injury before the campaign began. A new midfield of Haashem Domingo, Fortune Makaringe and Kamohelo Mokgotjo makes the side much stronger but the pressure is on late arriving French striker Amadou Soukouna to fill the boots left by the sale of Khanyisa Mayo to Algeria. He will be their main striker for the season.

Last Season: 5th

Best finish: Runners-up in 2021/22

Opening game: Saturday, September 14 away at Royal AM

Chippa United

Can the Chilli Boys improve this season?

It is the first head coaching job in the Betway Premiership for Kwanele Kopo, who has more than paid his dues after working as a long-time assistant to Stuart Baxter, Gavin Hunt and Pitso Mosimane at SuoerSport United, and then as coach in the Motsepe Foundation Championship at Pretoria Callies. For the second half of last season, Kopo shared the Chippa job with Thabo September but now takes the solo reigns and know he will not have much time to show progress, given how many coaches have come and gone at the Eastern Cape-based club in the past.

There has been a large cull of the squad as Kopo wanted younger and more athletic players to fit into his tactical plans but ironically it is the 34-year-old Andile Jali who could prove the driving force for the club. In their previous 11 seasons in the top flight, they have only finished in the top eight once – in sixth place in 2016.

Last Season: 12th

Best finish: 6th in 2015/16

Opening game: Wednesday, September 18 away at Orlando Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs

Can AmaKhosi end their trophy drought?

It has been a total of nine seasons since Chiefs last won the league … or any other competition … and with each passing year the pressure mounts to end the drought. They have brought in Belgian-Tunisian Nasreddine Nabi to lead a hoped-for revival and revamped other portions of the club, seeking to return to winning ways, but supporters will be more hopeful than optimistic.

Nabi has a long CV in African football but the South African club game is an unknown beast and he will need all his street smarts to succeed. Chiefs have allowed him to bring in his own support staff, the first time any of their club’s expatriate coaches have been granted that privilege. The club will be expected a return of investment, also having brought in Ignacio Miguel from Angola and Gaston Sirino. One factor making matter easier is for the new coach is that it surely cannot get any worse for Chiefs than their all-time low 10th spot last season.

Last Season: 10th

Best finish: Champions in 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1989, 1991, 1992, 2003/04,

2004/05, 2012/13, 2014/15 (12 times)

Opening game: Saturday, September 14 away at Marumo Gallants

Lamontville Golden Arrows

Will Arrows kick on from last season?

Arrows were dealt a blow after their pre-season started when Steve Komphela left, after a short tenure, to return to Mamelodi Sundowns. He has not been replaced but rather Mabhuti Khenyeza elevated back to the coach’s job six months. Six months ago Komphela came in to replace Khenyeza after a run of 11 successive defeat for Arrows and the club are taking a gamble on the former striker’s ability to do better from the bench this time round. Arrows have always been a selling club and most seasons seen talented players depart but this campaign their only loss has been left back Bradley Cross to Kaizer Chiefs. Cross cost Chiefs several million when they could have had him for free because he was on trial there two years ago, when he came back from Europe, but not signed, joining Arrows thereafter.

Last Season: 9th

Best finish: 4th in 2020/21

Opening game: Wednesday, September 18 away at Stellenbosch

Magesi

Will the new boys be able to survive?

The only new faces in the Betway Premiership this coming were convincing winners of the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season but know they can expect a completely different level of competition. Coach Clinton Larsen is the most experienced of their squad – having previously worked at Bloemfontein Celtic, Chippa United, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Maritzburg United and Polokwane City – and has sought to strengthen his selection with players who have previous experience of top flight football. The likes of former Malawi captain Limbikani Mzava and ex-Mamelodi Sundowns striker Gift Motupa will add to the prospects of the side. While expectations from management might be more ambitions, Larsen has already warned that just keeping their status must be the primary ambition for the Polokwane-based club this season … and anything else on top of that will be a bonus.

Last Season: Winners of Motsepe Foundation Championship

Best finish: First season in Betway Premiership

Opening game: Wednesday, September 18 away at Sekhukhune United

Mamelodi Sundowns

Can somebody finally catch the Brazilians?

Sundowns have already rewritten most of the significant records in the domestic game and with their massive financial resources look set to stay top of the pile for a lot longer. They are heavy favourites to make it a record-extending eight successive championships come the end of the season and take their record tally of overall titles to 18. But each season rival fans hope that someone will seriously challenge their monopoly. Last campaign, Sundowns won by a record 23 point margin over runners-up Orlando Pirates and came within 30 minutes of finishing the league season without losing a game – which would have been another first for the domestic game. Manqoba Mngqithi takes over as coach this season from Rulani Mokwena as coach and the club have unveiled new signings in winger Kobamela Kodisang, Brazilian Arthur Sales, defender Kegan Johannes, teenager Asekho Tiwani and Bafana Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners.

Last Season: Winners

Best finish: Champions in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2013/14, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 (17 times)

Opening game: Tuesday, September 17 home to SuperSport United

Marumo Gallants

Can Bloemfontein’s new boys prove a force ?

Marumo Gallants have bought back their top flight status, purchasing the Moroka Swallows club, renaming it and moving the entire operation to the Free State capital. They will be hoping to capitalise on spectator hunger for more regular football after the demise of Bloemfontein Celtic. Owner Abram Sello saw his side relegated two season ago despite reaching the African Confederation Cup semifinal. Almost all his key players departed thereafter, amid accusations of too much interfering in playing affairs by management. This was again the reason why Dylan Kerr quit just weeks after being appointed coach in June. It was not ideal pre-season preparations but replacement Dan Malesela has experience and past success as a cup winner. Among the signings are hard tackling fullback Mbhazima Rikhotso and midfielder Phathutshedzo Nange, formerly at Stellenbosch, Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United.

Last Season: 11th in Motsepe Foundation Championship

Best finish: 10th in 2021/22

Opening game: Saturday, September 14 home to Kaizer Chiefs

Orlando Pirates

Will the Sea Robbers move up from second place?

Orlando Pirates hod the unwanted distinction of being runners-up in the title race more times than any other team. Finishing behind Mamelodi Sundowns in the last campaign was the eighth time in the Premier Soccer League era that they ended second. With the addition of Angola international Gilberto and Stellenbosch skipper Deano van Rooyen, to help solve the troublesome right back position, Pirates have made significant, if not many, additions to their squad. Coach Jose Riveiro therefore has familiar faces to work with and this is certain a positive in their bid to try and challenge Sundowns for the title. That will be the expectation from management and supporters although the Buccaneers still have a propensity for inconsistency. They will be stretched in their search for domestic silverware if they qualify for the group phase of African Champions League.

Last Season: 2nd

Best finish: Champions in 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1994, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2010/11, 2011/12 (9 times)

Opening game: Wednesday, September 18 home at Chippa United

Polokwane City

A flash in the pan or are City the real deal?

When they were promoted last season, Polokwane City did little business in the transfer market to strengthen their squad for the rigours of top flight football, leading many to predict they would be heading back down as quickly as they had arrived. But the season turned out anything but as Polokwane City finished strongly with an unbeaten run in their last five games to finish the season in eighth place. Coach Phuti Mohafe defied with a consistently positive approach and there were not many clubs who enjoyed playing against them. Again, ahead of the new campaign, Polokwane City have not been too busy in the transfer market although Brian Bwire from Kenya could turn out to be an interesting purchase. They did however let go some of their older players like Lucky Baloyi, Ndumiso Mabena and Given Mashikinya, last season’s captain. It remains to be seen is that has any effect.

Last Season: 8th

Best finish: 5th (2018/19)

Opening game: Saturday, September 14 home to AmaZulu

 

Richards Bay

Can the nomads survive the drop?

Last season, Richards Bay held onto their top flight status only after having to take part in the the end-of-season promotion-relegation playoffs. There has since been plenty of conjecture over the future of the club plus they face a third season now away from their home base on the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast. Richards Bay’s home ground still has not been upgraded to PSL standards, to allow them to play at home, so they will be again forced to use Durban as their home base. First it was the Chatsworth Stadium but last season mostly in Umlazi. Having already lost their star midfielder Sanele Barns to Stellenbosch, they started their pre-season preparations with Vusimusi Vilakazi in charge but midway through he left, to be replaced by Brandon Truter. The new coach had a previous spell at the club in 2018-19 when they were still in the National First Division.

Last Season: 15th

Best finish: 13th (2022/23)

Opening game: Sunday, September 15 home to TS Galaxy

 

Royal AM

Will the Fifa ban see Royal AM fade away?

Royal AM will begin a second season without any new players, banned from registering new players by Fifa after defying orders from world football‘s governing body to pay out monies owed to former players Samir Nurkovic and Ricardo Nascimento. The club were found to have broken contracts with the pair and until they pay up, are banned from signing any new players. Last season it was an hindrance they could overcome with the strength of their squad and the promotion of players from the DStv Diski Challenge but it is going to be much tougher this season to paper over the cracks. Royal AM went from the heady heights of playing in African club competition two seasons ago to being close to relegation last season and they are likely to be facing the stark reality of the drop again this campaign. They have seen wide attackers Menzi Masuku and Shaune Mogaila leave at the end of their contracts.

Last Season: 13th

Best finish: 3rd (2020/21)

Opening game: Saturday, September 14 home to Cape Town City

 

Sekhukhune United

Is this a force to be reckoned with?

Sekhukhune United have wasted no time since their ascension to the Betway Premiership in making their mark and have, for the last two seasons, qualified for continental club competition. Their fourth place finish in the last campaign came despite two coaching changes during the season. First Brandon Truter was fired and then, with two games left, Lehlohonolo Seema was shown the door after a row with management, with McDonald Makhubedu finishing the season in charge. But the turmoil did not seem have any negative impact on the playing group. That is a good thing because there was more disruption in the pre-season after they hired German coach Peter Hyballa, who came with a reputation for erratic behaviour, and which then proved the case. He did not even make it to the bench for an official game before leaving, and now Seema is back.

Last Season: 4th

Best finish: 4th (2023/24)

Opening game: Wednesday, September 18 home to Magesi

Stellenbosch

Can the Winelands club keep up their progress?

Stellenbosch have greater ambition than just being a club that develops players and then sells them on for a profit, but are still struggling to keep their best players while the lure of moving to the ‘Gauteng big three’ continues. After Ashley du Preez two seasons ago and Junior Mendieta this time last year, captain Dean van Rooyen has left (for Orlando Pirates) and top scorer Iqraam Rayners to Mamelodi Sundowns. Other players had made transfer requests that have forced club management into a tight corner, seeking to persuade the players to stay while keeping up a harmonious squad spirit. The club want to be a force to be reckoned but sit at a crossroads while they are still a long way off the achievements of the major clubs. But they are aiming to get there. Last season they could have finished runners-up but slipped at the end of the campaign as they did not win any of their last five fixtures.

Last Season: 3rd

Best finish: 3rd (2023/24)

Opening game: Wednesday, September 18 home to Lamontville Golden Arrows

SuperSport United

Will there be a return to the glory days?

It is 14 years now since SuperSport United won the last of their three league titles, claimed all in a row between 2008-2010 and under the tutelage of coach Gavin Hunt. The 60-year-old coach is back again for third season in his second spell with the club and the question will be whether he can turned them into a force again. It was the astute buying of players that saw them win those three successive titles and there is again an exciting pool of players at the club. Notably, the 15-odd youngsters that Hunt handed a debut to last season as he looked to build up the club’s stocks. But whether this new generation is now ready to kick on towards success remains to be seen. It is no coincidence, therefore, that the club have gone out and made some interesting signings, like right back Nyiko Mobbie, midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel, winger Vincent Pule and the central defender Pogisho Sanoka, who was ever present for TS Galaxy last season.

Last Season: 7th

Best finish: Champions in 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 (3 times)

Opening game: Tuesday, September 17 away to Mamelodi Sundowns

 

TS Galaxy

Can they keep up the momentum?

At halftime of their final game in the last league season, TS Galaxy were still on course for a fourth place finish in the Betway Premiership standings. Alas, they lost to Polokwane City and ended up sixth, but it was still their best ever finish and first time inside the to eight. This is testament to the work of owner Tim Sukazi and irritable coach Saed Ramovic, who have done wonders with limited resources. They have seen many top players depart over the last seasons yet were able to put together a squad that was in contention to qualify for a place in African club competition. Now comes a test of whether they can keep up the momentum after seeing their skipper Pogisho Sanoka depart, along with Lehlohonolo Mojela and first choice goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari. Their new signings include Ivory Coast goalkeeper Ira Tape, who has won two caps for his country, and a pair of players from Liberia.

Last Season: 6th

Best finish: 3rd (2023/24)

Opening game: Sunday, September 15 away to Richards Bahy