Big name coaches like Henri Michel have come and gone without bringing the desired results, Histro Stoichkov came close but the team crambled under pressure at a crucial moment. As much as the Bulgarian tried, Sundowns were not really a happy family despite playing some exciting football, his antics didn't win him many friends.
Antonio is a different coach from Stoichkov and he has many positive advantages. Firstly he was with the team last season so he knows exactly what to expect this time around. He knows the players he is working with, their strenghts and weaknesses, so it won't take him long to discover the right combinations. He is also well aware of what he will be up against when it comes to opposition teams.
But his biggest and most important advantage is the fact that he has the support of his players. It is a well known fact that if a coach doesn't have the players blessings he is bound to fail, for Habas it seems as if all is well, the players will perform for him.
For a change Sundowns have kept the backbone of the team they had last season and made some clever signings especially in Richard Henyekane and Sbusiso Khumalo. There will be more stability at the Brazilians and the consistency will be a major advantage.
If Habas can be able to deal with the pressure of the Sundowns hot seat, and the sometimes unrealistic expectations that come with the job, he might just achieve his mandate of wrestling the league title away from neighbours Supersport United.
Happy days could be back at Chloorkop.
By Siphiwe Hlongwane
