Former PSL coach Muhsin Ertugral believes this season presents a golden opportunity for Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to challenge for the league title, revealing why Mamelodi Sundowns may struggle to last the distance.
Sundowns’ start to the season has been slightly different from their typical dominant form. They have secured three wins and two draws in their first five Betway Premiership matches, beating AmaZulu, Magesi FC, and Stellenbosch FC while drawing with Chippa United and Chiefs. This places them third on the log, two points behind leaders Sekhukhune United.
In addition, the Tshwane giants were knocked out of the MTN8 by rivals Pirates. A look at their first five matches over the last five seasons shows a slight drop in their usual winning pace. They won four of their first five games in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, had three wins, one draw, and one loss in 2022/23, and a perfect start with five wins in 2023/24. Last season, they had four wins and one loss.
WHAT MUHSIN ERTUGRAL SAID ABOUT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
However, Ertugral, an ex-PSL coach himself, told FARPost that the effects of Sundowns’ congested calendar from last season will be evident this season. Unlike the other seasons, Sundowns finished the 2024/25 season late, having participated in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
They went for the off-season break late and only returned to have just two weeks of pre-season before facing Richards Bay FC in the MTN8 quarter-final. As such, the former Chiefs mentor Ertugral believes this is a big opportunity for the Soweto giants to capitalise.
“Mamelodi Sundowns had an important tournament. From outside and those never involved won’t understand how difficult it will be after a season where such a tournament [Club World Cup in the USA] is played,” Ertuğral said.
“The intensity and obviously the travel costs; the team momentum, especially in the pre-season. They will come right and get their rhythm back, but it will take time.
“Orlando Pirates, obviously, seem to find their playing style and reaction to their opponents. I believe they will be better than the last season, give a bit of time to the coach [Abdeslam Ouaddou]. “It will be a very interesting season.”
The experienced coach added: “Chiefs need to consolidate the early form of the season. Naturally, if you have such a great start, the November or December period will be some challenges in terms of tiredness.”
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