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TinakoFM
It began with a sensational result over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Champions League semi-final second leg. Thembinkosi Lorch went on a mad one and scored four goals as we won 6-0 over our domestic rivals, unbelievable way to reach the final; where we'd face Wydad Casablanca, who themselves won big in the semi-finals after dismantling TP Mazembe 5-0 in their first leg. Before the CAF CL final, we had three huge PSL fixtures in a row. Black Leopards were defeated first on a day where Cape Town City dropped points, which put it into our hands at that moment - it seemed if we won all our final fixtures, including over Kaizer Chiefs, we'd win the title. It wasn't quite that simple.
Highlands Park gave us an almighty fright on 7 May, the bottom half club went two goals ahead and, in truth, we looked dead and buried. However, after some tactical changes and, according to right-back Happy Jele, a great team talk, we rallied to take a dramatic three points away from home by winning 2-3. At full-time there was a twist, Bidvest Wits had won 0-3 in their match so went top of the table on goal difference! It was no longer in our hands. After Highlands Park, the following match was the massive Soweto derby versus Kaizer Chiefs. Xola Mlambo put himself in Orlando Pirates folklore with a stunning free-kick (see below) to help us defeat the Chiefs and take a massive step towards the trophy.
Even better news followed, as Bidvest Wits had drew away to SuperSport United. That meant we were 1st with one match to play, two points away from the 2018/19 PSL title. A massive, but welcomed, distraction followed - the first leg of the CAF Champions League final with Wydad Casablanca. Despite that and fitness issues, we were missing three key players for most of this period as seen above (Lorch, Maela and Shonga), we won the opening leg 2-1 on home soil. Despite the eventual outcome, a huge result which kept momentum high. Days later came the huge final day of the Premier Soccer League, we faced SuperSport Utd (h) while Wits hosted Highlands Park.
We didn't produce a great performance, we just couldn't find a goal against SuperSport - worse news followed as Wits went one nil up on 88mins versus Highlands Park which sent them top of the table with just minutes left. I went all-out attack and subbed on our best player Thembinkosi Lorch, who was still suffering with fractured ribs. Not that you'd know, as the man himself came on and scored a dramatic winning goal which sent us back above Wits. The referee blew his whistle and we were crowned Premier Soccer League champions! Incredible, incredible end! Lorch, with a rib injury, the hero. Crazy! Sadly we did then lose the Champions League second leg following a dreadful performance.
Delighted nevertheless! The league was the priority, I was more tense for that than the continental final. I can't wait for next season already!
A: Happy Jele credited me for the comeback over Highlands Park:
B: Here's Xola Mlambo's derby day winner. Unreal moment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htyg_rPyO_Y
C: As mentioned above, Thembinkosi Lorch won us the title with a 90th-minute winner despite suffering with fractured ribs. Hero!
D: Our league triumph broke quite a few records:
E: This month gave me my first Manager of the Month award, not a bad time to get it!
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
2019 | Premier Soccer League (beat Bidvest Wits)
2019 | Manager of the Month (May)
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
100% staying, hopefully I can build something long term - even if I don't I'll still play the save as long as I'm enjoying it and Orlando Pirates want me. Most I've consistently enjoyed a save of mine in a while.
bigmattb28
Dan
TinakoFM
Cheers Dan! Hopefully next season is just as good as season one.
TinakoFM
This post is more about the off-field occurrences than the on-field stuff, most notably about our busy transfer dealings; most of which you can see started the Beyonce friendly.
I have signed five new players, all bar one are going to be senior team players. First in the door was Samkelo Mgwazela, an eighteen year old signed on a pre-contract a while back; looks one for the future. He was followed in by Bongani Khumalo and Riyaad Norodien. Khumalo may be familiar to Tottenham Hotspur and, erm, Colchester United supporters as a former player, I've signed him as a back-up centre-back; needed, also brings good experience. Norodien is a right winger, he's coming off a strong season with Cape Town City - one of our title rivals in 2018/19.
We weakened them further on 15 July by signing their top goalscorer Tokelo Rantie (AFC Bournemouth fans may recognise), I don't really need him but can't turn down a man with twenty-four goals last year; I kinda just signed him to take away a key player for Cape Town City. Before Rantie's arrival, former A-League man Anthony Cáceres joined the club from Manchester City - scouts/fans not too keen apparently, but I reckon he'll be good for us. Time will tell. Three players departed, none were first-team players.
A: Last season's awards can be seen here, including my Manager of the Season award:
B: Here's the media's end of season review:
C: I showed how the PSL finished last post, but here's how the subsequent relegation play-offs went. Tshakhuma up!
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
2019 | Premier Soccer League (beat Bidvest Wits)
2019 | Manager of the Month (May)
2019 | Manager of the Season (2018/19)
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
Hope so! I'm quietly confident.
TinakoFM
Be The Coach was won by us despite some pretty awful team selection by our supporters, which you can see below but to summarise: they didn't select Thamsanqa Gabuza, our top goalscorer from last year, or fellow key players Paseka Mako (LW) and Asavela Mbekile (CM) - nor Kudakwashe Mahachi and new signing Anthony Cáceres - fools! January signing Siphesihle Ndlovu was the matchwinner versus our Soweto rivals, he scored our sole goal as well as the winning penalty. Nice moment for him! Just over a week later was our CAF CL first leg with Saint George in Addis Ababa, where we notched six goals but did concede three to leave the door ajar for our opponents.
Before the second leg with the Ethiopians, we fought Golden Arrows in the Top 8 Cup quarter-finals. It was a rather easy encounter as we put three past last season's fifth best team, all goals came from new signings - Riyaad Norodien (2) and Tokelo Rantie. Both of which aren't first-teamers at the moment, so good to see such strength in depth and positive impacts from new signings. Then came leg two with Saint George, as we secured a 3-1 victory on home soil and sealed advancement to the first round where we'll face Tanzania's Simba.
August 2019 ended with a double-header in the Top 8 Cup as we met Cape Town City in the two-legged semi-finals. Leg one ended in a 1-1 tie, which was a little disappointing but overall a draw away to a title rival (albeit in a cup) is a decent thing. Showed by the fact we beat the Benni McCarthy managed club at home in the second leg 1-0, Xola Mlambo with the goal. Bidvest Wits defeated Kaizer Chiefs in the other semi, so we'll face them in October's final.
As you'll notice, despite playing six competitive fixtures we still haven't had a league match. PSL games were scheduled but subsequently moved due to our cup exploits, but a few other teams have played. As such, we are 12th with SuperSport United leading the way. Rather odd.
A: Bit of a transfer update, I've signed one more player - young midfielder Teboho Mokoena from SuperSport Utd. Adds yet more depth. Few players left, none of major note:
B: Here's the Be The Coach shenanigans, what were the fans thinking? Rigged by the Kaizer Chiefs faithful imo
C: Here's the board expectations:
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
2019 | Premier Soccer League (beat Bidvest Wits)
2019 | Be The Coach (beat Kaizer Chiefs)
2019 | Manager of the Month (May)
2019 | Manager of the Season (2018/19)
TinakoFM
We sit 6th in the league, very disappointing start. The Champions League groups are to come as mentioned, with Maritzburg United awaiting in the Knockout Cup first round. October gives us a chance to win a piece of silverware, with Bidvest Wits waiting for us in the Top 8 Cup final as we look to retain our trophy. The FA Cup is held back until 2020. Bigger and better performances are needed.
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
2019 | Premier Soccer League (beat Bidvest Wits)
2019 | Be The Coach (beat Kaizer Chiefs)
2019 | Manager of the Month (May)
2019 | Manager of the Season (2018/19)
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
Yeah. To be 3-1 up against Chippa United, only to lose 3-4 on home turf is diabolical.
bigmattb28
Something to work on though mate, all is not lost yet
TinakoFM
Just the one PSL fixture this month so we're still quite a way behind the early pace setters Cape Town City, who are six points clear of us. Five league matches are scheduled for November, a major catch up is needed. The CAF Champions League returns next month with the group stage starting. Still four months away from the FA Cup.
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
2019 | Premier Soccer League (beat Bidvest Wits)
2019 | Be The Coach (beat Kaizer Chiefs)
2019 | Top 8 Cup (beat Bidvest Wits)
2019 | Manager of the Month (May)
2019 | Manager of the Season (2018/19)
Dan
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
Cheers! It certainly is. The Knockout Cup for sure isn't important, but I like to be in as many competitions as possible - to hopefully win them, like you are doing in your current save.
Thanks! I only tend to schedule mid-season friendlies when there is a fourteen day+ break in-between competitive games, helps keep the players at match sharpness - which serves me well, I don't get *that* many injuries. And yes, I know I've just jinxed myself now!
TinakoFM
December promises to be a massive month, with the pick of the fixtures being Cape Town City away on 22 December 2019. Bidvest Wits and Maritzburg United will give tricky tests too, I'm sure. We'll also met the other two teams in our CAF CL group - Horoya and Ismaily. Bring it on!
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
2019 | Premier Soccer League (beat Bidvest Wits)
2019 | Be The Coach (beat Kaizer Chiefs)
2019 | Top 8 Cup (beat Bidvest Wits)
2019 | Manager of the Month (May)
2019 | Manager of the Season (2018/19)
Dan
TinakoFM
Indeed, the great Benni McCarthy is the man at the helm at Cape Town City. Last season they were top after nine games (seven to ten played so far this) but ended up dropping a bit. Strong starters it would seem!
bigmattb28
Have you given up on this dude?