Only a few rounds into the new campaign, the heat is already on in the Betway Premiership. At the top, the coaches of Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are fighting to stay in front. At the bottom, Richards Bay have turned to a new man in a bid to avoid relegation. Here is what each of the four is facing.
Dimitar Pantev (Richards Bay): the survival mission
The Bulgarian was announced on 21 September on a one-season deal. He replaces Ronnie Gabriel, who quit suddenly after being appointed in July without winning a game. Richards Bay sit 14th, just above the relegation zone, with three draws and four defeats from seven matches. His first test is a tough one: Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, 13 October.
Fernando da Cruz (Kaizer Chiefs): ending the drought
A few games in, Amakhosi fans were dreaming. Da Cruz had Chiefs in the top three, keeping pace with Pirates and Sundowns. A few stumbles later, they have slipped to fourth after being overtaken by AmaZulu. It is a reality check for a club whose league title drought now stretches to a decade. They need a response at home to Stellenbosch on Tuesday night.
Abdeslam Ouaddou (Orlando Pirates): answering a final defeat
Pirates went into the MTN8 final chasing a fifth straight title, but lost 2-0 to Sundowns in Durban. Ouaddou now has to deliver a strong reply, with two CAF Champions League fixtures and the Carling Knockout Cup ahead. Pirates have a game in hand on Sundowns, and they host TS Galaxy on Tuesday.
Miguel Cardoso (Sundowns): chasing a quintuple
Many wondered how Sundowns would react after their eight-season league run was ended by Pirates. Cardoso answered by winning the MTN8 on 10 October. His side lead the table, though the race is tight. They are favourites against Wiliete SC in the CAF Champions League, and the Carling Knockout Cup returns on 24 October. It is early, but the ingredients for a historic quintuple are there.
Tuesday, 13 October fixtures (all 19:30)
- Durban City vs AmaZulu, Chatsworth Stadium
- Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch, FNB Stadium
- Richards Bay vs Mamelodi Sundowns, Princess Magogo Stadium
- Orlando Pirates vs TS Galaxy, Orlando Stadium
Your call: which of the four coaches gets the job done this season?
