5 One Season Wonders in the PSL

03 March 2020, by: Thathe Msimango

Infamous “One Season Wonders” in the PSL

Talent alone won’t take you far, it needs to be complemented by hard work, be taken care of and be forever improved. In sporting language, they say form is temporary and class is permanent.

Over the years, football fanatics have witnessed stars burst onto the scene and provide much hope but end up failing to replicate their form.

This is what we call ‘one-season wonders’ and the Premier Soccer League players have had some that got fans praising their talent but ended up failing to reach the peak.The Botshabelo born player had a wonderful 2014/15 PSL season bagging goals in 31 appearances while playing for Free State Stars. But things didn’t work out for Botshamelo born star as he failed dismally to replicate his form. Since then, the 31-year-old has become a journeyman and was on the books of Highlands Park but is plying trade in the colours of Real Kings.

I can’t be the only one that thinks Highlands Park landing Moeketsi Sekola on a precontract is a bit of coup for them… Good player.

— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann)

The former Manning Rangers striker was the PSL’s top goalscorer in the 2001/02 season with 18 goals in 20 appearances. The peroxided haired sharpshooter earned a big move to Mamelodi Sundowns the following season, however, he failed to replicate the success he had while donning Ranger colours. He went to feature for Jomo Cosmos, Thanda Royal Zulu and Platinum Stars before retiring from football in 2008 due to Achilles tendon injury. He is now a pastor back home in Giyani, Limpopo.

Top Goal Scorer 2001/02 Season:

Ishmael Maluleke (18 Goals).

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL)

Ledwaba had a season to remember in 2003/4 scoring 16 goals in 31 starts in all competitions for Amazulu FC. He also walked away with the Golden Boot Award for his tally of 14 league goals. He ended up spending most of his time playing in GladAfrica championship before announcing his retirement from football in 2010 while he was on the Winners Park books.

We have had a top scorer relegated from the top-flight before in South Africa, but it’s rare…

The last time was in 2003/04 when Jackie Ledwaba top scored for Zulu Royals with 14 goals, but they only scored 30 the whole season and finished 16th.

— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann)

The story of Walaza is one helluva interesting one because he only arrived at Orlando Pirates set up with one thing in mind, to have the club’s tracksuit. However, his football abilities impressed the coaching staff and he ended up being offered a contract. The Sowetan born striker had a very good season in 2006/07 scoring a total of 10 goals in all competitions after having 22 starts and six subs.

Excellent Walaza is a legend. No arguments.

— MissLindiwe (@_1vamilindz)

One of the memorable moments was to score a brace in the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs. But his career took a massive dip, he was loaned to Supersport United before joining Vasco Da Gama later in his career. It’s very funny but also sad that Walaza is still just 32 years old and supposed to be playing but is nowhere to be found these days.Ndlovu set the PSL by storm in the 2004/05 season during his tenure for Limpopo based side Dynamos FC, where he netted 20 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions. His superb season was overshadowed by the great goal-scoring form of Collins Mbesuma, whose 25 goal record stands today. The Pietermaritzburg born star won the Players’ Player of the Season trophy for his exhilarating form, he went on to play for Moroka Swallows where he won the 2009 Nedbank Cup before hanging his boots. He now focuses on coaching youngsters in his hometown in Imbali.

Sandile Ndlovu was a beast of a striker when he was at Dynamos….then he moved to Sundowns ☹

— Ben Strokes (@Mnix27)

MORE SOCCER