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2023/24 DStv Premiership: KZN Clubs endure bumpy start to new campaign

The 2023/24 DStv Premiership season did not get off to a productive start for KZN’s teams, with a few names being earmarked for relegation this season. Here’s a breakdown of how they entered new campaign.

Disapointed Mbongeni Gumede of AmaZulu FC in the DStv Premiership
© Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

The 2023/24 DStv Premiership season did not get off to a productive start for KZN’s teams, with a few names being earmarked for relegation this season. Here’s a breakdown of how they entered new campaign.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

AMAZULU FC – 11th

Matches played: 3 

Won: 0       Draw: 3        Lost: 0        Goals scored: 0                Goals conceded: 0

Next match: Kaizer Chiefs (Away)

New coach Pablo Franco Martin has been at the helm for a month now and the Spaniard is yet to register a league win after three matches played this season. The 43-year-old

Apart from struggling to get his first win in South Africa, the Martin is yet to see his side score a goal in a competitive match. They last found the back of the net during a pre-season tournament – the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup, beating Mbabane Swallows 2-1 in Ulundi.

The Spanish tactician has told journalists that this is the first time he’s seen his side not score a goal in two consecutive games, but that undesirable record could also stretch beyond their next game where they face a desperate Kaizer Chiefs side at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

GOLDEN ARROWS FC – 9th

Matches played:  

Won: 1      Draw: 1        Lost: 1        Goals scored: 3                Goals conceded: 6

Next match: Polokwane City (Home)

Abafana Bes’thende have endured the better start to the new season compared to their three neighbouring rivals. They are the only team in the province to have registered a win so far, which ironically came at the expense of fellow KZN-based side Richards Bay during a 2-1 victory in their second game of the season.

Before the start of the season, co-coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi confidently revealed that they have set themselves the mandate of winning silverware this term as well as finishing in the top half of the table.

With a new sponsor and five new signings added to the squad, the Durban-based outfit look to turn around their fortunes this campaign, and are aiming for a first piece of silverware in 14 years.

Their next league encounter sees them welcome newly-promoted Polokwane City who currently sit in 4th position after winning two of their opening three fixtures.

RICHARDS BAY FC – 14th

Matches played:  

Won: 0      Draw: 1        Lost: 2        Goals scored: 1               Goals conceded: 4

Next match: Mamelodi Sundowns (Home)

Richards Bay appointed Kaitano Tembo in place of Vasil Manousakis and his assistant Pitso Dladla, but things have not quite gone to plan since. The Zimbabwean mentor has struggled to find a solid backline combination that will protect their goalkeeper of the season Salim Jamal Magoola who has conceded four goals in three.

They next face a high-flying Sundowns side who have recorded four wins from four, alongside a MTN8 quarter-final victory. While Tembo admits it won’t be an easy task, the Richards Bay coach insists his players will be ready for the Brazilians.

He said in the Sowetan: “It’s worrying, but at the same time, I think it’s an opportunity for the club to try and take a step further and improve from our last game.

ROYAL AM FC – 15th

Matches played: 3  

Won: 0      Draw: 1        Lost:  2       Goals scored: 3                Goals conceded: 7

Next match: TS Galaxy (Away)

Royal AM are literally lying in a bed which they made themselves – rock bottom in the league with no new signings as a result of the ban imposed by FIFA. The ban was imposed on the club after they failed to pay R12 million owed to their former striker Samir Nurkovic.

But Royal AM have confirmed that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has suspended the transfer ban due to certain discrepancies in the case, meaning the club can sign and register players until that final ruling comes.

But that may not be a good enough excuse for their poor start to the new season where they have two defeats and one draw in their opening three matches. Their next encounter comes against a rejuvenated TS Galaxy side who are fresh from a remarkable win over Kaizer Chiefs, and will fancy a successive win here when the sides meet at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday.

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