Recently, media and supporters are saying there are no more "BIG TEAMS” in South Africa. There are saying this cause of recently poor results from Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs. Is this the first time this happening? The answer is a big NO! In 1995 Cape Town Spurs won double NSL tittle (now PSL) and BOB Save (now NEDBANK Cup). 1996 Manning Rangers won the PSL, Qwa Qwa Stars and Vaal Proffesional won the Coca Cola Cup and BobSave Cup in the early 90's and other small teams also won trophies in 80's and 90s.And yes Sundowns, Pirates and Chiefs were participating. But no question was asked, if the are no longer “BIG TEAMS”. Why this question asked now? Is it because some "Small Teams" can hold on to their best players? Or is it cause "BIG TEAMS" were not in TOP3 last season (2007/08)? If that’s a reason; Sundowns won the Nedbank Cup and SAA Cup and Chiefs won the Telkom Knockout Cup. This shows that "Big Teams" are still achieving something.
Back to the main question; what is a “BIG TEAM”? I heard supporters saying; "teams are made big by media, supporters and sponsors". I totally disagree, why? Let’s look at national teams worldwide: Brazil, Germany, Italy and France.
These national teams are always favourite to win the World Cup whether they are performing well or not. Why is that? It’s because they have more supporters and sponsors than other national teams? NO! It’s not that case, these national teams are big because they won previous World Cups.
Also let’s look at Africa; South Africa was one of the “big” countries, but now due to poor results they are no longer big. This shows that big teams are made by winning and always in finals or taking part in big tournaments.
Back to PSL; Sundowns and Chiefs are the only teams that have the consistence of winning trophies eMzansi. And Pirates? Pirates remain the only team that has won CAF Champions League in the Southern region in Africa. This is also helping Pirates to remain big and let’s not forget that Pirates is the second team that has won more PSL titles (sharing the spot with Chiefs). And Pirates is the only team that’s always in TOP8 at the end of the season.
Big teams are big cause of winning cups, in England (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool); Spain (Barcelona and Real Madrid); Italy (Inter and AC Milan, Juventus); and Egypt (AL Ahly and Zamalek).
All these teams have achieved something in recent years. And if you don’t win, it’s easy to lose your BIG TEAM’s status and an example of this will be “Leeds United” - this team was one of big teams in England (bigger than Chelsea as a matter of fact Chelsea was not big from 2002 backwards, Chelsea became big after winning back to back Barclays League). Leeds lost their status by losing games and end up being relegated.
So until other Absa PSL teams win trophies more than Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will remain "MZANI’s BIG TEAMS". But Amabhakabhaka must start winning trophies otherwise they’ll end up just like Leeds.
Remember this is not personal but my view.
DR NDIVHUWO
