South Africa’s Premier Soccer League season will get underway on Saturday in what is a congested campaign that could see some clubs playing more than 50 games.
It will also provide players in the domestic competitions with the chance to enhance their reputations, and give those new to the league the opportunity to forge a cult following.
KHAMA BILLIAT (KAIZER CHIEFS)
Billiat is certainly no stranger to South African football fans after a successful, trophy-laden spell at Mamelodi Sundowns, but the Zimbabwe international faces a different challenge altogether after making the move to Naturena. Chiefs have not won a trophy in three years, and the expectation is that Billiat will be the one to lead their blunt attack to silverware. Desperate Amakhosi supporters are running out of patience with the team and Billiat will know all too well how quickly you can turn from hero to zero in this league.
TALENT CHAWAPIWA (BAROKA FC)
Zimbabwean winger Chawapiwa was a revelation at Baroka FC last season, and it is a surprise to many that he was not poached by a bigger club. Talk of a move to Chiefs never materialised as he was priced out of that deal, so for now he is left to try and help Baroka achieve their top eight ambitions. He is certainly a player with plenty to offer and has the potential to be a star of the season.
BRILLIANT KHUZWAYO (ORLANDO PIRATES)
After years as an understudy to Itumeleng Khune at Chiefs, Khuzwayo has crossed the floor to join archrivals Pirates, where he is tasked with bringing some stability to what has been a problem position for the club in recent years. The internet provides a host of Pirates goalkeeper howlers, but in Khuzwayo they are getting a more ‘steady Eddy’ type who rarely makes a mistake. When he did deputise for Khune he provided mostly faultless performances, and this could arguably be the biggest signing of the last few years for The Buccaneers.
JOSE ALI MEZA (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS)
If reports out of South America are to be believed then Sundowns paid a South African record R13-million for Meza, a Venezuelan forward who was plying his trade in Bolivia. With Billiat and Percy Tau having left Chloorkop, Meza — once he gains full fitness — will be expected to provide goals after a long pursuit by Sundowns that lasted a year. He certainly looks to have all the attributes and, if he can settle into the pace of the league, will be a great addition.
MOTHOBI MVALA (HIGHLANDS PARK)
Mvala was wanted by a number of top-flight teams when Highlands Park were relegated at the end of the 2016/17 season, but he remained with the Gauteng club and played a major role in them winning promotion at the first attempt. His 12 goals from midfield, many of them coming from his ability in the air, were a huge bonus and he will now seek to transform that quality into commanding performances in the top league. There is no reason why he could not be one of the stars of the campaign in a side that lacks stand-out individuals.
