CT Spurs' dreamy PSL comeback meets bitter reality - but unflappable Bartlett is seeking a solution

“It’s not about tactics, it's not about physical ability or talent. It's about emotional intelligence when you need to do certain things [in front of goal] and how you have to stay calm and composed,” an unflappable Cape Town Spurs head coach Shaun Bartlett professed after their fourth consecutive DStv Premiership defeat in a 1-0 showdown to Chippa United.

After a five-year absence, the Cape side triumphantly reclaimed its spot in South Africa's topflight. In a nail-biting PSL promotion/relegation mini-tournament held in June, they secured their promotion by narrowly edging out Maritzburg United and Casric Stars, thereby capturing the golden ticket to Premiership football.

READ | Phoenix rising from the ashes: CT Spurs' stunning PSL return only beginning, says CEO

However, last Friday's crisp, cold, windy, and wet night at Athlone Stadium revealed growing signs that the transition from the Motsepe Foundation Championship (National First Division - NFD) to Premiership football, has not been kind to Bartlett, a legendary football figure in South Africa, and his Spurs charges. 

Bartlett, who arrived at the club on 21 October, steered Spurs to safety in the 2021/22 season and did an incredible job in pushing to win the NFD title in the 2022/23 season and securing automatic promotion to the PSL. However, his charges fell short on the season’s final day in a 1-1 draw against the University of Pretoria, then already showing signs of a lack of emotional intelligence, as Bartlett pointed out.

The draw allowed Polokwane City to clinch the crown in dramatic fashion. Meanwhile, Bartlett’s team had to navigate the playoffs, where they demonstrated the grit required to overcome the challenge facing Maritzburg and Casric.

READ | Bernard