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With the new season around the corner, Timothy Molobi looks at players who need to clean up their act or kiss their careers goodbye
There are several players in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) who did not live up to their potential last season – and if their form does not improve, they could fall by the wayside forever.
The reasons for the poor performances are varied. For some it has been a lack of game time, while for others it’s been a case of missed opportunity due to loss of form, increase in weight or wayward behaviour.
This week Chippa United gave Mark Mayambela a chance to redeem himself and get his career back on track.
The 27-year-old has failed to recapture the form that made him a fan favourite at Bloemfontein Celtic, where he played regularly.
His move to Orlando Pirates in 2010 did not yield the expected results, and he tried his luck at Mpumalanga Black Aces – where he did not play a single game – before making a move to Swedish side Djurgårdens IF.
Earlier this year, he returned to South Africa and joined National First Division side Royal Eagles, where he also struggled to make an impact.
Katlego Mphela
‘Killer” is fast falling off the radar as he now lacks that instinct that made him one of the best strikers in the league just a few seasons ago.
Little wonder then that Kaizer Chiefs have decided to give him his clearance. Fitness issues have troubled Mphela for a while, and he could not justify the high salary he earned. He has been way off the pace and needs to take his career seriously.
At 30, time is no longer on his side. Mphela failed to secure a contract at the University of Pretoria.
Bryce Moon
The one-time Bafana Bafana defender (29) has struggled to find game time at Sundowns under Pitso Mosimane.
As a right back, his main duty is to defend, but due to his pace and previous role as a winger, he often exposes his team and can’t fall back fast enough with numbers at the back. Moon found himself sidelined at Sundowns and has to work on that if he wants to keep his place in the team.
A loan move to Platinum Stars earlier this year, where he played nine games, helped him regain his confidence, but he will need to do more to prove that he can still deliver the goods.
If there is one player who needs to get his act together, it’s this 34-year-old defender. Although heralded as one of the best footballers of his generation, Mabizela is certainly not making the best use of his talent due to his off-the-field behaviour.
He tried his best to help AmaZulu survive relegation, but his goals were not enough.
Mabizela has featured for a number of local teams: Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Platinum Stars, Bidvest Wits, Chippa United, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Usuthu.
Another season at Chloorkop could mean the end of his once-illustrious career.
But the club has already exercised its one-year option on his contract. So, Sandilands – for now – remains a Sundowns player with a lot to prove, if he gets the chance.
After introducing himself to the PSL with 11 goals in his first season at Free State Stars during the 2011/12 season, Manqele has been a disappointment at Chippa United.
A move to big-spending Sundowns was his undoing as he struggled to reproduce the same form and gained weight. A loan move to Moroka Swallows did not help either.
Manqele is undoubtedly very talented, but he has not improved. He can score goals but has lost some pace and will need to use his time at Chippa to recharge his batteries. Fortunately, the 28-year-old still has time on his side.
The winger (27) has definitely slowed down.
He has recently been off the pace and far from the player who was once so vital to Orlando Pirates’ double treble.
Unfortunately, without his trademark pace, Segolela is relatively useless on the field.
He would have undoubtedly been a much more prominent player if he could cross the ball – and now might be a good time for him to really start focusing on that at Platinum Stars.
Segolela would definitely be an impressive player if he were more capable of charging at opponents with the ball at his feet.
Gamildien started off well at Bloemfontein Celtic but did not maintain the momentum. The club terminated his contract due to off-the-field issues.
Although he is undoubtedly a talented player, Gamildien needs to work really hard and raise his performance levels.
Hopefully, the move to Ajax Cape Town will be the incentive he needs after failing at AmaZulu.
The Senegalese’s performance in the last campaign has been patchy. In fact, Niang (31) has struggled. His positioning, heading, decision making and ball playing have not been of the standard expected of a player who destroyed teams while at SuperSport United and the University of Pretoria.
He has found himself back among the substitutes or in the stands and needs to fight for his position – especially since Downs signed Burundian striker Fiston Abdul Razak.
In the coming weeks, Niang may find himself back among the substitutes or even be shown the door.
The 23-year-old striker certainly needs to improve his performance or he might find his stay at new club Chippa United coming to a premature end.
This is not due to a poor finishing ability. We all know he can finish, so it must be attributed to a lack of confidence.
Manzini was out on loan to SuperSport United early last season but he struggled to get game time and was returned to Bloemfontein Celtic before the season ended.
He therefore needs stability and game time to improve.
The classy midfielder possesses the quality to shine at almost any club in the league, but talent alone is not enough.
The 25-year-old has a great touch, can create goals with majestic through balls and cross a ball very well – but he will have to get a handle on his wayward behaviour.
He has what it takes to be the best in the country but his off-the-field conduct is concerning.
