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TinakoFM
After experiencing all of what Asia had to offer at the top level, I've decided to play in Africa with last year's Premier Soccer League second place side. They've not won the title since 2011-12, so that'll be the aim for season one. However, as I always mention, I am no god at this game whatsoever (shocking, right!), so don't expect anything major.
TinakoFM
After a friendly win over Maritzburg City, we met Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the cool Be The Coach. For those who don't know, it's an interactive competition in South African football played yearly by Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, with supporters (via a sponsor) picking the matchday squads and in-game substitutions; hence the name. In Football Manager, it's the same except for the line-up/substitutions - the fans picked my matchday squad. So fortunately I can blame the defeat to the Chiefs on them!
It didn't faze us though, as we followed it with four straights wins; firstly in a friendly with Mozambique's Ferroviário Maputo. The Top 8 Cup got underway on 15 August, it's a tournament where the top eight placed teams from the previous Premier Soccer League season take part to see who is best. We were drawn in the quarter-finals with Free State Stars, subsequently easing past them 3-0. The semi-final first leg followed days later against Maritzburg United, where we scored another three goals (having gone a goal down, though) to secure a comfortable if not tie-securing 3-1 win for the second leg. August ended with our PSL opener, we played and beat AmaZulu.
Pleasing times, but we must keep it up. So, Be the Coach, Top 8 Cup and the PSL have all begun but the Knockout Cup and FA Cup are still yet to get underway, as is our CAF Champions League campaign; which we have to wait until late 2018/early 2019 for (due to its scheduling).
As you'll see in the screenshot, the club made a load of signings but only the last two were made by me. I signed a CAM and a FW, both players I know about (not deeply, but enough) from real life: Tshegofatso Mabaso, Bloemfontein Celtic (CAM, South Africa, £60k) & Talent Chawapiwa, Baroka (FW, Zimbabwe, £32.5k). I was going to scout them first, but decided to trust my gut feeling and sign them before the scout reports arrived. So far, so good. I've been impressed with them, both have a goal to their name already.
A: Here's the board expectations:
B: Here's the supporters' chosen squad for Be The Coach:
C: Here's my manager's profile:
D: Here's my save file set-up:
bigmattb28
As a side note, when are you starting your long term journeyman save?
TinakoFM
Same here, I've only managed small teams from South Africa - Santos FC are the ones that stick in my memory, got them promoted from the second tier - was an enjoyable spell. As for my Journeyman, I'm thinking either Europe or North & South America. I'll probably go for the latter, particularly South America seems fun to manage in.
TinakoFM
We hit back from the scheduling and Wits loss by putting four unanswered goals past Chippa Utd. Consecutive 0-2 away wins have since occurred over Maritzburg United and Polokwane City, Thamsanqa Gabuza scored in both encounters that were his only two appearances so far this season - impressive.
A: Have a look at this: A red card appeal being won. Sensational scenes:
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
Genuinely the first time I think I've seen it, perhaps SI have made it more likely this year? Hopefully.
SrWer
TinakoFM
Indeed, hopefully it can continue. Thanks!
bigmattb28
Yeah hopefully mate who knows, I do know that I'll be challenging every red card I can from now on though!
Great result getting to the final, hopefully a win there would set in motion some good form for the other competitions you're in
TinakoFM
A: Trophy numero uno in the bag, hopefully the first of many with this club:
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
Baroka will be probably be tricky, but certainly the four fixtures after, which come before the big derby, are 100% must wins!
bigmattb28
Shedender
TinakoFM
Thank you, Shedender!
TinakoFM
I have Orlando Pirates sitting 4th in the PSL table, but it is extremely tight at the top. 1st to 6th are separated by only six points, so a strong run of form could put us right up there. I'm looking forward to December's action, which includes the first Soweto derby of the league campaign.
A: That 0-9 victory was a new record for the club, passing their past best of 9-1 over Cemforce:
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
Definitely, goals were to be expected but refreshing to deliver on the expectation for once! Too many times on FM I struggle against the lowly sides.
bigmattb28
With any lower rep teams I always go all out attack as the game likes to give you bad performances against lower tier squads.
TinakoFM
Before we faced the Moroccans, we had two massive Premier Soccer League encounters over Black Leopards and SuperSport United; both on the road. We passed both tests with flying colours, winning 0-1 and 0-2 respectively; Xola Mlambo coming up with two goals, he was frozen out by myself at the start of the season as I wasn't convinced by him but has knuckled down and, after getting his chance recently, become a key member of my first eleven - fair play to that man! After the PSL win double, we prepared for Ittihad Tanger in the first leg of the first round of the Champions League. We returned home from the Stade Ibn Batouta with a convincing 0-3 victory, Thamsanqa Gabuza coming up big with a brace. Great win.
Days later came the big Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs, one that ended in a 1-1 draw which felt disappointing at the time but looking back it was probably a good point. Then arrived the second leg in continental competition versus Ittihad Tanger. I rested my squad like last time out, which showed as we somewhat laboured to a low-scoring tie. I wasn't fussed though, progression was all I wanted. I believe that means we are through to the group stages, which are apparently set for January? Not heard anything yet, though. December ended in the best possible way: we beat AmaZulu away from home to go top of the PSL table, thanks to other results. I think it's the first time we've been top.
It's our goal to keep ourselves in first place. It is now the 'winter break', no PSL games set until February 2019; though my next post may be sooner depending on the aforementioned Champions League situation. Looking good!
A: We are currently on a twelve match undefeated streak, which is apparently a new record for Orlando Pirates:
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
SrWer
TinakoFM
Cheers!
TinakoFM
The Premier Soccer League returns mid-February, no-one else has played either so we remain 1st - which is where we sit in the Champions League. Very pleased! Our FA Cup first round opponents are now known, we'll face fellow PSL side Maritzburg United; we have actually signed a player from them in the January market, which can be seen below.
A: Transfers! Our one and only new signing was Siphesihle Ndlovu, who has been one of the players of the season so far with Maritzburg and is just 22 years old. Loads of players departed, eight men to be precise - all were just squad players who kicked up a fuss to leave:
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
TinakoFM
However, our fine form continued as we beat Free State Stars on the road after goals from Paseka Mako and Innocent Maela - a very strong performance. That cannot be said about our next match though, as we narrowly scraped past Maritzburg United in the FA Cup. Admittedly I did rotate my entire team, starting with players who had barely featured this season alongside one or two youngsters. Even so, the performance was very poor and Maritzburg deserved wholeheartedly to progress, but thankfully we got the luck and went through on penalties. Days later, we actually faced Maritzburg Utd again - in the Premier Soccer League. This time, it was roles reversed as our returning stars dominated the fixture and secured a strong 2-0 win; despite leaving it somewhat late.
Things are looking bright. As I said, we have been knocked off the top in the PSL but through no fault of our own - current leaders Cape Town City have played a game more. Champions League and FA Cup progression secured, we've been drawn with (in-game) non-league side Super Eagles in the latter, which gives us a tremendous chance of advancing. We remain in three competitions, as we aim to add to our trophy collection having already won the Top 8 Cup earlier this season.
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
Cheers! Very much enjoying this save.
TinakoFM
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)
bigmattb28
Decent place to manage South Africa, hopefully you can create a dynasty of sorts with the Pirates
TinakoFM
We only lost two matches, one was that FA Cup tie while the other was the first leg in the CAF CL versus Zamalek - which didn't mean much in the end as we won the home leg to go through to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, we've been drawn with fellow South African club Mamelodi Sundowns. The first leg has been played, which ended in an action-packed 2-2 draw; painful to concede an equaliser on 95mins, but two away-goals is a positive - the second leg promises to be a nervy encounter.
We also faced Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League, beating them 0-2 away from home; which was one of four league wins this month. Those wins and the fact we were undefeated in league action was huge, as the PSL title race is incredibly close. You can see the table below, we are sitting second but level on points with leaders and city rivals Kaizer Chiefs. That's not all, as Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City are just one and two points off respectively and both have a game in hand. We face fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs on the penultimate day, that could be a Soweto derby for the ages! Tense times ahead either way.
So to recap, the title race is very much alive and any one of four clubs could still win it with just one month left to play. We're one game away from the CAF Champions League final, a competition Orlando Pirates haven't won since 1995; though the board's expectation is to reach the final. There'll be no FA Cup glory for us this campaign, as we're out of that tournament. Disappointing for sure, but there's no doubting the PSL and CAF CL are way more important to players, staff, fans and board alike. May will be squeaky bum time, as Sir Alex would say.
A: Here's the media's look at the domestic title race, they released that prior to the Bloem Celtic game but it still stands up:
B: Right back on 2 April, I was offered and I subsequently signed a new contract with Orlando Pirates:
2018 | Top 8 Cup (beat Mamelodi Sundowns)