If it ain’t broke, don't fix it

 

The relegation of Cape Town City has left many scratching their heads at the dramatic fall of the club.

City came fifth last season, only five points behind 2nd-placed Orlando Pirates. However, this season, the club finished second-last (rock-bottom if you exclude the expelled Royal AM) and failed to retain their top-flight status in the promotion/relegation playoffs.

I’m of the opinion that City’s troubles started before a ball was even kicked this season.

The club underwent a major overhaul in the transfer market and the team was looking vastly different ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Mayo and Ambina were sold to clubs abroad, Mokhuoane headed to Sekhukhune, Van Heerden retired and Kutumela went back to his parent club Sundowns and signed for Richards Bay. All these players made at least 15 appearances for City last season. A number of other players also left the club.

At the same time as all these outgoings, about 10 new signings arrived, leaving the players already at City wondering if the coach no longer had confidence in them.

The new players arrived expecting to play; other players lost their place in the team or were moved into different positions; and they all needed time to gel. The phone calls and paperwork alone could have caused the coach and management significant stress. All of this may have been a reason behind City’s inability to continue their good form from the previous campaign.

Clubs have not learnt from other teams who struggled after signing too many players. For example, Fulham signed 12 players ahead of the 2018/19 Premier League season and went on to have 3 managers, win just 7 games and finish second-last.

On a similar note, I believe Kaizer Chiefs were too quick to try and revamp their 2019/20 squad that came second on the log, only losing the title on the final day. Several of those players were allowed to leave the club too soon, particularly Daniel Akpeyi and Samir Nurković, two stars from that season who were both gone within the next two years. Akpeyi’s 9 clean sheets and Nurkovic’s 13 goals in one season have yet to be matched by a Chiefs player since.

Teams like Stellenbosch FC and Brentford, who survived their first year in the top division of their respective countries, largely kept faith in the players who got them promoted and have now established themselves in the top-flight.

That’s why Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu, clubs which have both recently released 9 and a staggering 16 players respectively, are taking a big risk ahead of next season.