The time for football hibernation is about to end as the PSL teams are gearing up for a grueling Absa Premiership 2017/18 season.
And with AmaZulu back into the limelight after purchasing the status of National First Division winners Thanda Royal Zulu, this season, that gets under way in less than three weeks is about to get exciting.
After a below par season, Orlando Pirates have made some decent signings with star-midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni topping the list. Their rivals Kaizer Chiefs have also been there with some good players while African champions Mamelodi Sundowns have been quite.
But if there is a team ready to defend their title is South African league champions Bidvest Wits with Steven Pienaar leaded the signings.
While teams likes Bloemfontein Celtic and Chippa United have also been busy in the transfer market.
But is behind the scenes actions that will gauge how far this 16 teams will far in the upcoming season. With a lot of work being on endurance and ensuring that the players, especially the new ones, fit in the systems, it is the coaches whose prowess will come to the fore.
Friendly matches here and then, trying to have a clear balance of their teams, the coach who ensure that his team get off the race with a win will be a happy one.
And with a lot of young players being promoted to the senior teams from their respective teams, one cannot wait for the first game of the season to get underway.
Having seen how good Chiefs where when they won the friendly tournament agaisnt Free State Stars last week, Steve Komphela is right to ask his management for a top finisher if his team was to make a decent inroad in the race.
The famous Carling Black Label between traditional rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs gets underway next week and whoever wins it will be confident going to the season.
But as the league is a marathon not a sprint, the likes of Cape Town City under Benni McCarthy and SuperSport United with Erick Tinkler at the helm, pre-season preparations will determine which team has done is homework well.
For me is to see how many young players will be given a chance to shine and judging by the race last year, pre-season remains the most important aspect in football if coaches and teams are to make it with the championship and relegation are to haunt them for the next 10 months.
Will continue share the beautiful game
