Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana defender David Kannemeyer has explained why he believes Orlando Pirates will not break Mamelodi Sundowns’ PSL supremacy in the current 2025/26 season.
The Brazilians are sitting on a record-extending streak of eight consecutive league titles, highlighting an era of relentless domestic football dominance. They are now bidding for a ninth straight PSL league title.
But, for the first time since the 2019/20 season, Masandawana go into the New Year trailing in the Betway Premiership title race. Pirates threaten to tear down the order created by Sundowns over the years as they lead the PSL table.
The Buccaneers lead the log by two points, with Sundowns second and having played a game more than the leaders. Pirates have been promising in the league campaign as they fight to be crowned champions for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
Under the guidance of coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Soweto giants have underlined a shift in power by providing nine players to the Bafana Bafana AFCON squad, while Sundowns have five after dominating Hugo Broos’ side at the last edition of the continental competition.
But Kannemeyer is not reading much into the current standings and is convinced the Tshwane giants’ dominant days are not yet over.
The retired left-back who played for Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns believes that the latter do not even need to be very active in the transfer market in January. This is despite the Brazilians not having been convincing this season, in which they have also missed out on the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup.
KANNEMEYER EXPLAINS WHY PIRATES WILL NOT END SUNDOWNS’ DOMINANCE
“I don’t think Pirates will knock Sundowns off. In recent seasons, they have been starting slow, but they will win the league because of the depth they have in their squad,” Kannemeyer told FARPost.
“Sundowns have so much depth in their squad, and it’s not even funny because that makes them dominate. In my opinion, they will win the league again. I don’t think Pirates can stop them.
I don’t think Sundowns need to sign players in January. They have enough firepower already. If they are to buy, maybe it should just be one player to bolster just one area, the coach [Miguel Cardoso] feels needs some addition.
“But I think at the moment they have too much firepower.”
Sundowns signed just four players during the last PSL transfer window by bringing in Fawaaz Basadien and Tsiki Ntsabeleng, as well as the Portuguese duo of Miguel Reisinho and Nuno Santos. That could see coach Miguel Cardoso going into the market for new players.
RELATED STORY: How a Sundowns‑Chiefs rivalry forged Zim’s best midfield duo