Over the last couple of seasons we’ve seen teams earning promotion from the National First Division to the PSL, only to go back down the following season.
Examples that come to mind are those of Jomo Cosmos, Vasco da Gama and Chippa United. But University of Pretoria have been an exception to the rule. In only their first season in the elite ranks, after many years of knocking on the door of topflight football, they finished in the top eight.
What an incredible achievement!
Surely there must be something that the Tshwane outfit is doing right... but what is it? For one, Tuks have an astute coach in Steve Barker, who manages to keep a calm head even in extremely challenging situations, while they are also home to a number of young players hungry to impress.
This is where the likes of Bongani Khumalo, Andile Jali, Mthokozisi Yende, Bongani Zungu and Thokozani Sekotlong used to hone their skills. The club also has great training facilities.
After a poor start to the current season, they are once again on the way up, sitting in ninth position on the league table. What is it that teams that get promoted to the PS can learn from Tuks and what have they done differently to teams that have gone down after only one season in the PSL?
