NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
FT SideLine: The timeless foundation behind the DNA of a league champion
Be it the Bundesliga, ABSA Premiership, La Liga, English Premier League or any other top club football league in the world, what makes the most successful teams competitive may surprise you even though it shouldn’t.
Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham battles for possession with Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield on November 11, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
(Nov. 10, 2018 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
Contrary to popular belief, having an edgy and slick attacking frontline is not the main ingredient for any club seeking domestic league dominance. Of course it’s important but today’s trends reveal something to else to be of greater importance.
Looking at most of the table topping teams in all of the leagues we feature here at FirstTouch, one cannot afford to ignore the defensive discipline of these sides. For starters, the Clever Boys of Bidvest Wits are mounting an unlikely title charge in the South African ABSA Premiership without having any of the league’s most prolific forwards in their ranks. It’s only because they have let only nine goals, the second best defensive record in the league after Mamelodi Sundowns who are five points off Wits having played two fewer games. Pirates are not doing bad themselves, second on the table with a devastating attack that combines the likes of Vincent Pule and Justin Shonga but their defensive record will likely be the Achilles heel that will find them wanting when champions are called to the stage. Even one of the league’s top scoring forwards who is arguably Southern Africa’s most important player in Khama Billiat, he is delivering the goods but Kaizer Chiefs are far from the top because they just can’t protect their goal as much as they would love to.
Leroy Sane of Manchester City celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Gabriel Jesus during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Manchester City and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Etihad Stadium on December 12, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
(Dec. 11, 2018 - Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images Europe)
What about in Europe? Liverpool are now going toe to toe with a dominant Manchester City that was a class above the rest last season, winning the premier league with a record points, bag full of goals and the best defensive record. Its only because Jurgen Klopp and the Merseyside club acquired two more goal minders, namely the world’s second most expensive goalkeeper in Alisson Rameses Becker and the world’s most expensive defender in Virgil Van Dijk. Here is a number for you, in their 3-1 win over Manchester United over the weekend, Liverpool conceded only the second goal of the season at home. Should I go on mentioning the likes of Juventus who have made the Serie A title race not so interesting, 8 points ahead of second placed Napoli, only 16 games into the season. They did sign the “goal scoring machine” in Cristiano Ronaldo, but their numerous 1-0 narrow wins are not as a result of the Portuguese’s cunningness but the impenetrability of the wall guarded by the likes of Bonucci, Chiellini and Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia. Adding some more perspective, statistics tell us that Arsenal is the second best attacking Premier League side after City, having scored more goals than even Liverpool or Tottenham but their defensive ills have them lying fifth on the table.
What shall we say then, getting one of the most wanted defenders such as Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly is the free and ultimate wisdom available for any ambitious team out there.
“They did sign the “goal scoring machine” in Cristiano Ronaldo, but their numerous 1-0 narrow wins are not as a result of the Portuguese’s cunningness but the impenetrability of the wall guarded by the likes of Bonucci, Chiellini and Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia.”
2018/19 ABSA Premiership Catchup: How is your team faring?
Have you been sleeping on the ABSA premiership? Perhaps you have been so busy to stay up to date with all the action. No worries, we got you. Ksazobalit!
Galabgwe Moyana of Polokwane City and Lerato Chabangu (R) of Moroka Swallows during the Absa Premiership match between Moroka Swallows and Polokwane City at Dobsonville Stadium on December 18, 2013 in Dobsonville, South Africa.
(Dec. 17, 2013 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
It’s matchday 10 of 30 in South Africa’s top flight league football, the ABSA Premiership. One of the most celebrated and diverse football leagues on the continent if I may add. The defending champions have had to adjust to life without the 2017/18 starman, Percy Tau and his partner Khama Billiat who switched colors. Percy unto the English Premier League side, Brighton & Hove Albion whereas Khama joined bitter rivals, Kaizer Chiefs. Speaking about Chiefs, together with their next door neighbors, Orlando Pirates - the 2018/19 season is one they earnestly look for some long forgotten silverware while the league’s own “Shakespeare” in Steve Komphela seeks to thrive in a new role at Bloemfontein Celtic. It’s all happening and the battles have never been more competitive. Who is where? And how are things looking?
Clever Boys in control
After narrowingly surviving the chop last campaign, courtesy of a more aggressive approach in the second round of matches in the 2017/18 Absa premier league season, Bidvest Wits find themselves top of the standings after 10 matches in the current campaign. Gavin Hunt’s men have not done bad at all, winning 5 matches, drawing 2 and losing only 2. They are a single point ahead of Orlando Pirates, though having played one fewer matches. The Students who took home the 2016/17 title look to go back to glory days after patiently holding onto their gaffer in the previous campaign at a time when everyone thought he should have received the sack. They have scored the most goals, conceded the least and look like they won’t be easily bullied off the top of the standings.
Soweto boys eyeing the prize
Fans during the Carling Black Label Champion Cup match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. At least two people have been reported to have been killed and several injured in a crush during the game at South Africa's biggest stadium.
(July 28, 2017 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
It’s a familiar sight looking at the ABSA premiership standings. At least on some parts of the table. After finishing second and third, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, respectively occupy the same positions after matchday 10 of the 2018/19 premier league season. Pirates last won the premiership title between 2010-12, two consecutive times whereas Amakhosi last enjoyed the glory in the 2014/15 season. Trust me when I say that these two household names are desperate to make right by their fans. Zimbabwean star man, Khama Billiat has been instrumental for the boys in gold and black ever since joining the side and Zambian young forward Justin Shonga is one of the marksman that the Sea Robbers will be looking to for goals though Maliele Vincent Pule has provided the most, so far. Guess what, they are meeting this weekend for the first much anticipated Soweto Derby of the season. I and most definitely the whole continent, shall be watching.
“Speaking about Chiefs, together with their next door neighbors, Orlando Pirates - the 2018/19 season is one they earnestly look for some long forgotten silverware while the league’s own “Shakespeare” in Steve Komphela seeks to thrive in a new role at Bloemfontein Celtic. It’s all happening and the battles have never been more competitive.”
Three title dark horses
There is a crop of three teams lying on positions 4, 5 and 6. These sides are all tied on 14 points and with an almost inseparable goal difference. From experience of watching and experiencing the beautiful game, any of the three can emerge as a strong contender for the title and can even go all the way. Supersport United, Steve Komphela’s Bloemfontein Celtic and Polokwane City respectively occupy the above mentioned positions. Matsatsantsa’s (Supersport United) marksman, Evans Rusike is actually topping the scoring charts with four goals followed by Billiat on three. A proud moment for the Zimbabweans being repped by these frontmen.
What about Bafana BaStyle you may ask? Mamelodi Sundowns are currently on seventh position, the only team still to lose a match and with three games in hand. Don’t rule them out of anything yet.
Ksazobalit! (It’s going to be lit!)