AmaZulu head coach Brandon Truter has explained why he feels the DStv Premiership title race could be unpredictable this season.
Truter has on more than one occasion this season, expressed his desire to challenge for the league crown after an ambitious transfer outlay in the off-season.
With 17 players leaving and 11 signed, it was a squad revamp of note and the likes of Gabadinho Mhango, Augustine Kwem, George Maluleka, Riaan Hanamub have all slotted immediately into the starting line-up.
Dumisani Zuma, Veluyeke Zulu, Ramahle Mphahlele, Rally Bwalya, Ethan Brooks, Thendo Mukumela were among the other signings, and Sibusiso Mabaliso returned to the club to add extra depth to an already quality squad.
And with Usuthu second in the table after six, with three wins, two draws and a defeat – they have the chance to move top, should they beet Chippa United on Saturday, before a mammoth encounter against the reigning champions at Loftus Versfeld on 18 September.
“There are 15 other teams in the league, there are four teams left in the MTN8 and we all want to win it because we’re winners,” Truter said after the 0-0 draw against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.
“It’s going to be tough. We’re not under the illusion that we’ll close the gap between Sundowns overnight. We are not stupid by saying yes we’re going to win it.
“It’s a process, Sundowns have taken four or five seasons to build that team and the coaches there have continued the work. So it’s not easy, even for them as well, they’ve [lost] two already.
“So everything changes, but the league for the number of games we’re playing – it sets it out that anybody can beat anybody. Purely because of the amount of fatigue having to play every three days.”
Although ‘Brakkies’ notes there’s a chance to take advantage of the congested fixture schedule, he’s mindful of the fine lines that need to be treaded in order to keep his squad fit and firing with rotation and periodisation imperative in order to avoid serious or long-term injuries to their key performers.
“The stats and data are there, against Cape Town City we ran 15kms, the previous game 12kms. Every third day, we’re running that amount. Comrades marathon athletes can’t do that,” he explained.
“It’s 100km, 90km a day but do it every third day… we’re not dealing with machines, it’s human beings that will break down and pick up injuries. And now you have a first eleven running away with game minutes and what about the rest of the squad?
“You have to manage that as well. Now you play friendlies and somebody gets injured? [Sphesihle] Maduna broke down in the warm-up, [Sbusiso] Magaqa broke down in a friendly. So it’s a season unlike any other.
“So the amount of fatigue and the number of games that’s coming, we played seven in August. Yes, there’s a FIFA break in September but in October with the MTN8 kicking off, we playing eight in that month.
“We’re dealing with humans and somehow as coaches, we have to protect that as well because there are some young guys, there’s some who still have long careers ahead of them. ACLs, meniscus injuries, and ligaments are things that can end your career. We have to manage that.”
