Four Premier Soccer League coaches face pressure as their teams play league matches on Tuesday, 13 October, according to The South African.
The coaches are Miguel Cardoso of Mamelodi Sundowns, Abdeslam Ouaddou of Orlando Pirates, Fernando da Cruz of Kaizer Chiefs and Dimitar Pantev of Richards Bay FC.
The publication said the four coaches have very different goals. Sundowns, Pirates and Chiefs are fighting to stay near the top of the table. Richards Bay are trying to avoid relegation.
Richards Bay announced Pantev as their new coach on 21 September. The Bulgarian signed a one-season deal with the club.
He replaced Ronnie Gabriel, who left the club suddenly. Gabriel was only appointed in July, and Richards Bay did not win a game under him.
According to the PSL website, Richards Bay are 14th on the log. They have three draws and four losses from seven matches, just above the relegation zone.
Pantev and his side host Sundowns at Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday night.
At Kaizer Chiefs, French coach Fernando da Cruz led the team into the top three early in the season. Chiefs kept pace with Pirates and Sundowns in those first games.
A few poor results later, Chiefs dropped to fourth after AmaZulu moved past them. The Naturena club have now gone a decade without a league title.
Chiefs host Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Tuesday.
Orlando Pirates went into the MTN8 final hoping to win the cup for a fifth season in a row. Instead, they lost in Durban after conceding two goals to Sundowns.
The South African said Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou must now respond strongly. Pirates have two CAF Champions League matches coming up, as well as the Carling Knockout Cup.
Pirates have a game in hand over Sundowns. They host TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
Pirates ended Sundowns’ run of eight straight PSL titles. Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso and his team won the MTN8 final on 10 October.
Cardoso has also led Sundowns to the top of the PSL table, but the publication said the title race remains tight.
Sundowns face Wiliete SC in the CAF Champions League, where The South African said they are favourites. The publication said Sundowns could chase five trophies this season.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Durban City host AmaZulu at Chatsworth Stadium. All four league matches kick off at 19:30, according to the PSL website.
The Carling Knockout Cup returns from 24 October.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.