Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mashego has made a bold prediction about the 2025/26 Betway Premiership title.
In the past decade, Sundowns have dominated the league title after clinching the prestigious domestic trophy eight times in a row.
Pirates, in the past three seasons, have been the only club that made a real push to dethrone the Brazilians from their dominance in the Premiership.
The Buccaneers finished the last three seasons as runners-up under the then-head coach Jose Riveiro, who left the club to join Ahly in May after the expiry of his contract.
With Sundowns having an inconsistent start to the current campaign, football fans and pundits have predicted that Masandawana may struggle to defend their title.
Despite the unconvincing style of play that has put pressure on head coach Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns are sitting at the summit of the league table with 21 points in 10 matches.
WHAT DID MASHEGO PREDICT ABOUT THE LEAGUE TITLE?
With the league chase still far from over, Katlego Mashego predicted that the league race will be between Pirates and Sundowns. The retired forward played for the Soweto giants between 2009 and 2011, and featured for Sundowns from 2013 to 2016.
“I think it’s a bit too early to talk about who’s winning the league, the obvious ones who are always there should be Sundowns, and Pirates should also be there,” Mashego told FARPost.
“So I think it’s a two-horse race between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates; we’ve seen in the past few seasons that they are the ones who have been fighting for the league.”
In a bid to intensify their push for the league honours, the Sea Robbers signed big names such as Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, Yanela Mbuthuma, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Lebone Seema, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Nkosikhona Ndaba, and Abdoulaye Mariko.
Meanwhile, Sundowns have taken a cautious approach in the transfer window after signing Fawaaz Basadien, Nuno Santos, Miguel Reisinho, and Tsiki Ntsabeleng.
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