By Chris Totobela
This week we look at the teams likely to become serious title contenders in the Makana LFA Premier League that kicks off this weekend.
Young Eagles who have just been relegated from the Hollywood Bets Regional League will surely come with a lot of experience, having played at the highest level for one season. Losing a couple of players to big teams might be their downfall as they will not have enough time to fill the void left by those players.
Sophia Stars has been unfortunate as they have lost out on the final day of the league for the past two seasons, losing to Young Eagles two seasons ago and to XI Attackers last season. This has surely drained their players psychologically and it will take a lot of motivation and dedication to pick themselves up and try again. One of their biggest downfalls has been the chopping and changing of their line-up, especially in the big games. As soon as they fix that, they should be a force to be reckoned with.
Meanwhile, Joza Callies, the old lady of local football, has been playing scintillating football for the last two seasons, but inconsistency has been their biggest downfall. The lapse of concentration at crucial times has also cost them important points. They have a very good young squad that can stand up against any team. It would not be a surprise if they won the title this season.
And then there is Rhodes University – they have been playing good football and have been consistent in their style of play. But the team always seem to run out of ideas when they come up against opponents who do not allow them to play their passing and possession-based type of football. Basically, Rhodes does not have plan B, which has cost them dearly at times.
In today’s football as much as you need to have identity, you also need to be prepared for any situation during a game and you need to respond to what the game requires from you as each game differs from the other.
Joza Stars are new to the top league and will spend a few games trying to adapt. But if they manage to hit the ground running, they will definitely be very difficult to beat.
Relegated Jacaranda Aces will also pose a serious threat with the wealth of experience they have, but they are also guilty of chopping and changing their line-ups and they also seem to make tactical errors that always come back to haunt them. When they are on song they become unstoppable, and if they manage to keep the bulk of their squad, they will be difficult to beat.
Riebeek City and Riebeek East Academy will both carry the tag of dark horses for the title and don’t be surprised if one of them silently finds their way to the title.
This promises to be a tough season with fireworks and football lovers would be itching to pack JD Dlepu Stadium to watch the best of local football.
