The 2022-23 DStv Premiership saw Mamelodi Sundowns continue their dominance, but another major narrative of the season was the influence of coaches up and down the league in helping their clubs exceed expectations. Here, in no particular order, are the top five coaches of the season.
JOSE RIVEIRO
The Spaniard secured a cup double – MTN8 and Nedbank Cup – as well as second place in the DStv Premiership, putting Orlando Pirates back into the Caf Champions League next season. And he did all that while getting the Buccaneers to play an attractive brand of football.
“We are very competitive people and everything we do is to try for the opportunity to win trophies,” said Riveiro. “We have the resources and players to make it possible so in a way, it is also a relief. To have the opportunity to go to the champions league with Pirates and to see them progress is great.”
GAVIN HUNT
After his nightmare spell at Kaizer Chiefs, Hunt has gone a long way in restoring his reputation as one of the league’s best coaches by taking SuperSport United to a third-place finish. Matsatsantsa were one of just two teams to beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the DStv Premiership this season, but Hunt will not be satisfied until his team is properly challenging their Tshwane neighbours.
“We need to get closer [to Sundowns] and make it more competitive and we will do it,” said the United boss. “But it is not all against them, we need to be competitive against everybody because that’s where the difference is in the league.”
RHULANI MOKWENA
After being handed the coaching reins on a solo basis, Mokwena took Mamelodi Sundowns to the most comfortable DStv Premiership title victory in the PSL era (including an incredible record run of 15 straight wins) and to within touching distance of the Caf Champions League final. The challenge now is whether he can sustain or even improve on this level of success.
“There's more than one way to win, but there's also more than one way to live life. In the bad, you're not good enough, and in the good, you're still not good enough,” said Mokwena. "We've done things the pragmatic way, and it didn't work. We also tried the percentage way, and it also didn't work. Before you cast judgement, let's give it an opportunity to see if it'll work. We'll continue with this dream, and we'll win the Champions League.”
BRANDON TRUTER
For a team with Sekhukhune United’s limited budget to come home in seventh place in the DStv Premiership and reach the Nedbank Cup final speaks volumes for the great work done by Truter. A god-fearing man, he repeatedly plays down his own part in Babina Noko’s success and will hope his combination of humility and hustle will continue to take the club on an upward trajectory.
“It’s been tough but it will be unfair for me to take all the credit,” said Truter. “I found a young technical team when I got there but they are all very professional and everyone played their part.”
MUSA NYATAMA
Handed the reins at a time when Swallows looked in serious danger of relegation, Nyatama not only saved the Birds, he led them to a top-half finish and a spot in next season’s MTN8. He will have his work cut out to keep up that level of performance next season, but there’s no doubt about the great job he’s done thus far.
“We’ve [got] incredible players, it was just unfortunate as previously we were not getting results,” said Nyatama. “We’ve tried to motivate them and boost their confidence. You can see how they play. We don’t keep much of the ball, but you can see how they are fighting for each other.”