PSL
Barker: All credit to the PSL
2012-05-18 09:00
Johannesburg - Former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker has applauded the Premier
Soccer League for the manner in which they have administered the
Premiership.
The PSL title is set to be decided on the final day of the
season, with leaders Orlando Pirates favourites to retain the title
ahead of second-placed Moroka Swallows.
The Buccaneers were crowned league champions on the final day of
last season, edging Ajax Cape Town on goal difference, and Barker says
the title race going down to the wire for the second successive season
is a 'wonderful advert' for the game in South Africa.
"All credit must go to the league. It's been just fantastic. A
really good advertisement for football. I think the standard of
refereeing has been a lot more consistent," he told Football411.
"So the PSL can take a bow on how they have handled the whole league."
With the campaign set for an exciting showdown on Saturday,
Barker also took time to heap praise on Augusto Palacios and Gordon
Igesund, the respective coaches of Pirates and Swallows.
"You know Augusto is a personality. He has come in and done
really well. He would have made them work hard but also added a fun
factor. You see his reaction on the pitch and what this means to him,"
Barker added
On Dube Birds tactician Igesund, Barker said: "Gordon knows that
this is not a young man's league. So he has a wonderful mix of youth and
experience. He knows that you need players who are durable and can give
you good performances eight out of ten times and that's what makes him
such a successful coach.
"Gordon and Palacios have raised the bar. Both teams have responded to fantastic infrastructure and well run clubs."
Meanwhile, the former South Africa head coach has predicted a win
for Pirates against Golden Arrows - a victory that will see the Sea
Robbers successfully defend their title and earn a second successive
treble haul.
"I think that Pirates will just edge it out. You won't get a seat
in Mabhida (Stadium) when the Buccaneers come into town. They will come
in and own it," he said.
"I just think that the two point lead that they have got will be sufficient to get them over the line," he concluded.