Thalente Mbatha believes Pirates can dethrone Sundowns

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha believes the Buccaneers have what it takes to end Mamelodi Sundowns’ PSL supremacy in the new 2025/26 season.

The Brazilians have won an unprecedented eight successive league titles, a record that might be difficult to break. That has seen other traditional giants like Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs overshadowed by Masandawana. The Sea Robbers last lifted the PSL title at the end of the 2011/12 season and have finished as runners-up to Sundowns in the last three seasons.

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While Pirates have carved themselves a reputation of being ‘Cup Kings’ in recent seasons and also drew continental attention, especially last season when they reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, breaking Sundowns’ stranglehold on the PSL has become a priority.

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Signing 14 players in the current transfer window has been seen as a sign of seriousness in their bid to dominate domestic football and Africa.

​“I believe we are a team that has a lot of quality, we are a team that can compete for the league,” Mbatha said on Metro FM. “I believe with the squad that we have, there is enough depth. The bench won us the game [MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC].

“Normally, our coach [Abdeslam Ouaddou] doesn’t call them substitutes but impact players. So, for us, it is something that the coach instils that you are not substitutes but impact players and ‘if I put you in, I want you to influence the game.’ So I believe with the squad and depth we have, it is enough for us to challenge for the league title and CAF Champions League.”

Meanwhile, after kicking off their league campaign with two defeats, the Soweto giants picked themselves up to win their last three matches. That has left them fifth on the table with five points fewer than log leaders Sundowns, who have played a game more than them.

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The Buccaneers will resume their Betway Premiership duties on September 23 when they visit Siwelele FC.

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Before that, they begin their Champions League campaign by facing Lioli from Lesotho in a first preliminary round, first leg match at Free State Stadium on Saturday.