PSL coaches all gunning for Mamelodi Sundowns, says Manqoba Mngqithi

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns are once again the team to beat, with many PSL club coaches tipping them to secure an unprecedented ninth consecutive league title.

Since the 2017/18 season, the club has enjoyed an unrivalled period of coaching success under Pitso Mosimane, Rhulani Mokwena, Manqoba Mngqithi, and now Miguel Cardoso.

Cardoso, who guided the team to league glory during his short stint since December 2024, maintains a laser-focused approach. He said: “We always need to push ourselves to achieve better as a team. Sundowns will continue to be a competitive side, but it will not be easy. The plan is at least to win cups this season, and the CAF Champions League will also be important.”

Sundowns' formidable squad, known for its consistency and masterful navigation of the season’s fixtures, is a significant concern for their rivals. The challenge they pose is no small task, and teams like Orlando Pirates are gearing up to give them a run for their money.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, after a successful stint at Marumo Gallants, has joined Pirates, who have recently signed eleven new players.

“Yes, without any doubt, the league title will be our main target this season,” he asserted, emphasising his optimism after five weeks of intensive training.

AmaZulu FC, coached by Arthur Zwane, are also aiming to improve on last season's sixth-place finish. Zwane recognises the challenge of surpassing Sundowns but remains optimistic.He told reporters:

“Yes, everything favours Sundowns, but football is a funny game.There are a lot of teams that are extremely strong and will give Sundowns a good run for their money. Pirates are strong, and so are Sekhukhune and Stellenbosch. It’s not going to be easy for Sundowns.”

Meanwhile, Polokwane City are looking to build on their previous two Top Eight finishes.Coach Phuti Mohafe emphasised his team’s fighting spirit, saying:

“As Polokwane City, we will always fight for three things. We will want to survive relegation, and then we want to finish in the top eight or even challenge for league honours.It is going to be difficult for Sundowns if you look at the performance of Pirates, Stellenbosch and other teams in the MTN8.”

After a few disappointing seasons in which they failed to breach the top eight, Kaizer Chiefs are determined to do better under coach Nasreddine Nabi.Although he refrained from setting specific targets, Nabi acknowledged the high expectations from fans yearning for success after a decade without a league title.

“The expectations from the fans are normal. Our supporters have waited for so long to see their team challenging for trophies again. We will do everything possible to redeem the club,” Nabi concluded passionately.

Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has openly acknowledged the common objective shared by all PSL clubs: dethroning the reigning champions, Sundowns.

Mngqithi emphasised that every team in the league is ambitiously gunning for the Miguel Cardoso-coached Sundowns, who have established themselves as a formidable force in South African football.

“Cardoso must know it will not be easy for him,” Mngqithi remarked, reflecting a broader understanding of the tactical and psychological elements at play in the league, where the challenge of overcoming the skill and determination of the Sundowns squad is ever-present.