Panorama holding their own against PSL giants

Superiority may simply be a mindset but it requires affirmation through accomplishment.

In a test of consistency and fortitude, Panorama Football Club hosted back to back Saturdays against South African football elites, SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs. The Gauteng Development League is the premier academy structure in the province and recent results show a growing confidence and belief that Panorama can hold their own against anyone.

The Matsatsantsa juniors made their way from Pretoria on August 27, leaving with more than just a few shocks. Panorama picked up three wins out of their four matches, with the U/19s the only team not to register a win, going down 3–1. The U/13s were comfortable 3–1 winners, the U/15s defended bravely to hold onto a 2–1 win, but in what may go down in Panorama lore, the U/17s pulled off a comeback worthy an eternal highlight reel. Being 4–0 down at half-time, they stunned their more fancied visitors by scoring five second-half goals to earn a memorable 5–4 win.

The fixture was somewhat of a grudge match as some familiar faces are still part of the SuperSport set-up that was based at Panorama several years ago. “I think that fuelled a fire in us and that is something we have to learn to channel week in and week out,” said Panorama’s Technical Director, Roman Schröder, who can add a PSL-sized feather to his cap.

The mighty Amakhosi were next to drive up the freshly tarred road to the growing football hub, September 4. Described by Roman as being one of the most impressive teams in the GDL, his academy boys faced a far sterner test. The u/13s were impressive, holding the young Glamour Boys to a 3–3 draw but the rest were reminded of class of the GDL company they keep with the U/15, U/17 and U/19 teams losing 4–0, 3–0 and 4–2, respectively.

Needing to match the ‘cut-throat’ nature of the GDL and working towards achieving an almost robotic state through ‘muscle memory’, are lessons taken from the high-profile visits. “We need to focus on discipline, not on behaviour, but on taking in information and converting that information; a higher work rate and an understanding of what it takes to play the type of football people look up to. It’s a lot of movement and that takes discipline, a lot of tactical discipline and a lot of repetition,” said Roman.

Both weekends’ fixtures produced moments to be proud of as well as instances that will serve as learning curves yet, most importantly, all evidence suggests that the teams are on the right track. Fixtures against a revived Wits Juniors, Orlando Pirates and Tuks are on the horizon, providing more opportunities to test themselves against the names that occupy space in the national football psyche.