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Holifil

30 Mar, 2025

Manqoba Mngqithi reveals who he thinks is Mamelodi Sundowns’ toughest competition for the Premier Soccer League crown this year
The Brazilians have owned the Betway Premiership title for seven straight seasons
Surprisingly, the South African coach didn’t mention Kaizer Chiefs or Stellenbosch FC when naming Sundowns’ main rival

Let me tell you something, folks. Mamelodi Sundowns manager Manqoba Mngqithi recently opened up about why he believes Orlando Pirates are the biggest obstacle standing in the way of his team’s quest to defend the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title this season. Now, you might be thinking, "Why Pirates?" Well, buckle up because it’s a fascinating take from the man himself.

Now, here’s the deal: Mngqithi didn’t even blink when asked about other contenders like Kaizer Chiefs or Stellenbosch FC. Nope, he went straight for the Buccaneers, naming them as the only club capable of dethroning the mighty Sundowns in the Betway Premiership title race. That’s bold, right? But hey, let’s hear him out.

The Masandawana, as Sundowns are fondly called, have been unstoppable for the past seven seasons, dominating the PSL like nobody’s business. But this year? They’ve had a bit of a rocky start in the MTN8 tournament, which has some people questioning whether they can pull off an eighth consecutive title win. Can they bounce back? Or will Orlando Pirates step up and snatch the crown?

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Manqoba Mngqithi names Orlando Pirates as Mamelodi Sundowns' biggest threat in the Premier Soccer League this season, leaving Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC out of the conversation. Photo: @Masandawana. Source: Twitter

Why Mngqithi Thinks Pirates Are the Real Deal

In a candid chat with iDiskiTimes, Mngqithi laid it all out there. He explained why he sees Orlando Pirates, not Kaizer Chiefs or any other PSL team, as the Brazilians' biggest threat this season. And guess what? It makes total sense if you think about it.

According to the experienced Mzansi mentor, Pirates boast enough squad depth and quality to genuinely challenge Sundowns for the title. However, he also pointed out one glaring weakness that could trip them up: their tendency to drop points against smaller teams. Let me break it down for you. Winning the league isn’t just about beating the big boys—it’s about racking up those three points against every opponent, no matter how small. If Pirates can’t do that consistently, they might find themselves falling short despite having the talent to topple Sundowns.

“Because they’ve [Pirates] got enough depth and quality,” Mngqithi told iDiski Times.

“They will be the team that challenges us this season, but they have a tendency to lose against small teams, and the league is won by winning all the small games.”

“Even if they can beat you, if you beat all the other small teams, you win the league.”

Mngqithi wasn’t particularly impressed with Stellenbosch FC, despite Sundowns’ recent loss to them in the MTN competition semifinals. When asked about the up-and-coming team, he simply shrugged it off, saying, “No, I don’t think they have enough depth to sustain themselves for the season.” Ouch. Harsh, but fair.

Mngqithi Fires Back at Critics

By now, you might know that Mngqithi stepped into some pretty big shoes when he took over as head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns. His predecessor, Rulani Mokwena, had built an empire at Sundowns before moving on to join Morocco giants Wydad Athletic Club in the Botola Pro League this summer. Talk about pressure!

With a rocky start to the season, critics have been quick to jump on Mngqithi, questioning his ability to keep the Brazilians at the top of their game. But guess what? He’s not letting the negativity get to him. Instead, he’s fired back, reminding everyone that he’s got a plan and isn’t afraid to stick to it. In fact, Briefly News reported earlier that Mngqithi has already addressed his critics head-on, showing everyone he means business.

So, there you have it. The stage is set for what could be one of the most thrilling seasons in PSL history. Will Mamelodi Sundowns continue their winning streak, or will Orlando Pirates finally break their dominance? Only time will tell. One thing’s for sure, though: Manqoba Mngqithi isn’t backing down from the challenge. Stay tuned, folks. This is going to be epic.