PSL must do much better next season after disruptive campaign

Final Whistle Column

The teething problems were there even before the season officially got underway, but the masses held their breath, hoping for everything to fall into place.

But it wasn’t to be. The PSL was brought about disrepute throughout the season, so much so that there’ll be better expectations next season.

Perhaps the fact that the majority of the fans are not rating the design of the new Premiership trophy by Nelson Makamo sums up this season.

Makamo was heavily criticised for his design when the new cup was unveiled last Sunday, with naysayers linking it with the infamous hookah pipes.

The renowned designer tried to justify himself, saying that he got the idea for the trophy through his ancestors as he wanted to produce something iconic.

But the football masses, including yours truly, are having none of that, as his instinctive design didn’t align with football heritage often portrayed through silverware.

Makamo, also, is just unfortunate that he has suddenly become a sacrificial lamb as some of us have been there even before the start to see the signs of a ticking bomb.

The multi-billion rand Premiership was initially shaken when broadcasting giants DStv pulled out as the main sponsor of top-flight football at the 11th hour amid financial struggles.

That all but forced PSL head honcho Irvin Khoza to find an immediate solution, and thanks to his impeccable leadership, it wasn’t long that the product attracted interest.

In the end, though, it was betting heavyweights Betway that won the bid of being the league’s main sponsor, changing how some people viewed sports betting.

But that wouldn’t deter the overall feeling that Khoza had hit a jackpot by bringing Betway on board, given their vast financial power and growth over the years.

Betway and the PSL, however, said, at the time, that they were not yet ready to reveal the championship trophy as they were still in discussion with a few top designers for expert input.

In the end, it was Makamo that won the bid.

The revered designer got a lot of stick from the masses after his masterpiece wasn’t deemed worth it for a football competition.

But be that as it may, the PSL’s season was already rocked, largely due to the expulsion of Royal AM, whose season had to be declared null and void.

Royal AM brought the league into disrepute after the club’s president, Shauwn Mkhize, owed money to SARS, resulting in the curator taking over assets, including the football club.

And with Mkhize unable to pay the curator the sum of R40 million, that led to the curator putting up the club for sale, resulting in the no payments as the PSL also froze grants.

And after no entity successfully bought Royal AM early this year, the PSL Board of Governors had no choice but to vote in favour of the expulsion of Thwihli Thwahla.

It was a dark time for those who were under the payroll of the club, but not its owners and the management team, as they brought the league into disrepute from the outset.

When Royal AM joined the elite league, they made a mockery of its professionalism, paying player bonuses on the pitch, fighting with fellow officials and turning stands into parties.

And so their questionable deeds finally caught up with the club, but it’s unfortunate that it was at the expense of the league and its stakeholders, Betway and Nedbank.

Right now, there’s a pending case regarding the improper registration of Sifiso Magawana by NFD log leaders Durban City, hence their automatic promotion has been put on pause.

It is not the first time that the PSL have been embroiled in a promotion saga related due to improper registration, so that’s a story for another day.

But overall, it’s been a disruptive season for the PSL in the top-flight, so expectations will be rife for things to improve significantly next season.