Perfect 10 for Downs in season of few highlights

• Published date: 03 June 2022
• Publication title: Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Kaizer Chiefs, Bucs disappointed again, but Royal and City showed up

Chiefs, Bucs disappointed again, but Royal and City showed up

Mamelodi Sundowns’ unrivalled supremacy, Cape Town City and Royal AM’s rise, and Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates’ perpetual struggle to challenge for the league title, were some of the 2021/22 Premiership season’s major takeaways. reflect on how each side fared in the just-concluded term

AmaZulu

Finished: 7th

Last season: 2nd

MTN8: first round

Nedbank Cup: first round

AmaZulu struggled to replicate their form from last season. On the back of finishing as runners-up, Usuthu just regressed. Playing in the CAF Champions League fatigued them such that they were too flat in most of their domestic games.

Their struggles saw coach Benni McCarthy being fired with seven league games to spare. Brandon Truter took over and managed to steer them to calmer waters. They had the most draws (17).

Rating: 4/10

Baroka

Finished: 16th

Last season: 10th

Nedbank Cup: semifinals

Apart from reaching the Ke Yona Cup last four, Baroka had nothing positive this season. The Limpopo side’s failure to register even a single win on the road made things difficult for them. Bringing back coach Kgoloko Thobejane also backfired spectacularly as it was evident he’s tactically poor. That Baroka also didn’t really replace Goodman Mosele, who was sold to Orlando Pirates, also played a role in their downfall.

Rating: 2/10

Cape Town City

Finished: 2nd

Last season: 7th

MTN8: runners-up

Nedbank Cup: first round

After losing two key players in Surprise Ralani and Fagrie Lakay to Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian side Pyramids, many predicted City would fall apart but this was never the case as coach Eric Tinkler managed to build a strong team. The rise of promising striker Khanyisa Mayo, combined with the brilliance of veteran goalkeeper Hugo Marquez, proved the stimulus for the Cape side, who in the second stanza of the campaign went 12 games without losing.

Rating: 8/10

Chippa United

Finished: 14th

Last season: 15th

Nedbank Cup: first round

It was the same old story of fighting for survival for Chippa. The Chilli Boys would only guarantee safety in their penultimate league game, a goalless draw away to Swallows. Firing coach Gavin Hunt just 10 games into the campaign didn’t really help Chippa as Kurt Lentjies, who’d not fully retired as a player, found the going tough as caretaker trainer. Chippa’s over-reliance on striker Bienvenu Eva Nga, who netted 10 times in the...