Willard Katsande looks back on losing league title with Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs

Under the guidance of Dutch coach Foppe de Haan, Ajax (now Cape Town Spurs) were on the brink of history as they went into the final matchday at the top of the table.

The squad was packed with young talent, including Khama Billiat, Thulani Serero, George Maluleka, Keagan Dolly, Thulani Hlatshwayo, and Katsande, with veteran goalkeeper Hans Vonk anchoring the defence.

Ajax looked set for glory when Billiat scored in the first half against Maritzburg United (now Durban City).

But disaster struck in the second half when Vonk failed to deal with a back-pass, leading to a costly goal. The match ended 2-2, while Orlando Pirates beat Golden Arrows 2-1, snatching the title on goal difference.

"It was painful. We had champagne bottles and 'champions' T-shirts ready. That's the sad part - we had to burn them. Clayton Daniels ended up drinking the champagne out of stress. It was that bad," Katsande said on iDiski Dine.

Although he later won the league with Chiefs in 2012/13 and 2014/15, Katsande would again experience final-day heartache in the 2019/20 season, as Chiefs surrendered the title to Mamelodi Sundowns inside the COVID-19 bio-bubble.

Katsande believes George Maluleka's mid-season departure to Sundowns disrupted the team's chemistry.

"When you lose a leader like George, it destabilises the group. People say we bottled it, but the pandemic affected everyone. The rhythm was gone. Even Sundowns lost to Baroka," he added.

"We learned a lot in that bubble - not just about football, but about life. That season taught us lessons that no training session ever could."