Snl24 | Stats: Betway Prem teams likely to go down

NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 03: John Maduka from Royal AM F.C. during the DStv Premiership match between TS Galaxy and Royal AM at Mbombela Stadium on April 03, 2024 in Nelspruit, South Africa. (Photo by Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images)

With the 2024/25 league about to get underway, a KwaZulu-Natal side appear to be early relegation candidates given their troubles, as statistics also show that newly-promoted sides don’t struggle in their first season from the second tier.

Thwihli Thwahla remain the only side in the PSL still carrying a FIFA transfer ban, due to monies owed to Samir Nurkovic and Ricardo Nascimento, meaning they have not been able to strengthen their team ahead of the new campaign.

Their financial troubles are well-documented, with owner Shaun Mkhize embroiled in alleged tax irregularities with the South African Revenue Services (SARS), with the courts involved.

There are also new cases dragging on from last year.

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Royal AM survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last season after they suffered five consecutive defeats, before they got four points in the last two games – a draw against Chippa United and a 2-1 win over Moroka Swallows – which ensured they avoided the play-offs by three points.

However, John Maduka’s charges were unable to bring in reinforcements due to the FIFA ban and the head coach has admitted that it’s going to be difficult to motivate players, who know there is no competition for places.

“It’s always tricky, especially if a player knows that he is in the team and we can’t sign. I still believe they are professional players, they should behave in a professional manner. As a team and as a coach, we try as much as we can to demand results,” Maduka told SABC Sport.

“There are results that are demanded by our employees. Very important for us to also demand results from the players, to make sure they perform. But it’s always difficult to motivate players, because at the end of the day, they know that we cannot reinforce the team.

“But like I said, we hope and believe that these are professionals and will be able to do as they are requested to do.” 

What makes the situation worse for the KZN outfit is that they can’t even put together a DStv Diski Challenge team, as they have had two games abandoned in that league due to insufficient players to field a team.

In the last five seasons, only one team suffered automatic relegation from the elite division in their first campaign, after being promoted from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

And that is Cape Town Spurs.

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Which means, an experienced PSL side is more susceptible and more likely to go down than a newly-promoted one.

Magesi, unlike Spurs when they were promoted, have made a number of experienced signings, including the likes of Gift Motupa, Kgaogelo Sekgota, Moloisane Mokhele, Limbikani Mzava and Menzi Ndwandwe, among their 12 new recruits.

Polokwane City, Black Leopards, Baroka FC and Marumo Gallants all suffered automatic relegation in the four seasons prior to Spurs being relegated last term.

No newly-promoted side went to the relegation play-offs in the last five seasons as well, as Lidoda Duvha, Chippa United, Moroka Swallows, Maritzburg United and Richards Bay FC contested the play-offs, with Maritzburg the only exception not to retain their top-flight status in 2023.