Limpopo could have 4 PSL Teams Next Season: Is it worth celebrating?

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Mahlomola Martin Lefupana
On Saturday 13 June, 2020, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) confirmed on their official social media page that they have “completed the sale of Bidvest Wits with all its Players”. Whilst the news of TTM acquisition of Bidvest Wits has been met with excitement from Limpopo football fans, there is a bigger question on whether it’s worth celebrating having potential 4 teams in the Premier Soccer league next season.
Image: Twitter 

On phase value, Limpopo having 4 teams in the PSL might seem obvious to celebrate, given the economic impact on tourism, entertainment and other benefits that comes with having professional team in the province, but the question of worthiness of the PSL status is worth visiting. While the question might be unsettling for some, it is necessary that we discuss this, more so because Limpopo teams have often performed poorly in the PSL over time.

Since the start of the PSL in 1996, the province has had seven teams: Real Rovers, Ria Stars, Dynamos, Silver Stars, Black Leopards, Polokwane City and Baroka. In this period, only one team: Baroka was able to win a silverware Telkom Cup win over Orlando Pirates in 2018. The province’s teams best finish is 7th position, Ria Stars in 2000/01 Season, Silver Stars 7th in 2004/04 season, Dynamos 2002/03 Season finished 7th and Leopards finished 8th position in 2001/02 and 2003/03 seasons.

The rest of the times, Limpopo clubs have either being relegated or fighting relegation. Black Leopards are notorious for their frequent relegations to the lower divisions, Baroka also knows the pain having survived relegation through play-offs system, while Polokwane City flat with relegation season in season out. The other teams have either being sold, relocated, relegated or became obsolete, as was the case with Ria Stars and Real Rovers.
Historical data indicate that Limpopo teams struggle to compete and maintain PSL status, which begs the question, is having 4 teams worth celebrating? TTM’s purchase of Bidvest Wits also further raises questions about whether they will be different to other teams. If we are to go with how they ran their team in the Glad Africa Championship, then we should be more worries than excited. TTM have already shown signs of poor running of the team with frequent failure to pay players monthly salaries, frequent dismissal of coaches, poor communication, bad player management and general governance issues that have besieged Limpopo clubs for the last two decades.
It’s also surprising and disturbing how many Limpopo fans appear unperturbed by TTM owner buying Bidvest Wits while he has struggle to pay player salaries in the last two season in the Glad Africa Champioship. It’s understandable the excitement to have potential 4th team in the PSL next season, but is inexcusable to have an owner who does not pay players’ salaries. The PSL Board of Governors should on other hand assess the sale and purchase of clubs and who buys them. The fact that TTM buys a status of another team without being accountable for their mistreatment of players might taint the reputation of the league. The 4th team in the PSL could potential enhance the reputation of province as football region, but only if care is taken to run the clubs professionally.  

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