Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Godfrey Sapula has shared his views on which of the two teams will be the 2025/26 Betway Premiership champions in May.
The Sea Robbers are sitting pretty at the top of the log standings. They have a six-point lead over the champions Sundowns, who hold a game in hand.
Pirates are currently riding a remarkable wave of 14 matches unbeaten in the league. The run includes 12 wins, with only two goals conceded and 10 clean sheets.
As far as goals scored in the 14 games, the Soweto giants have hit the net 25 times, more than any other side in the division, though Sundowns lurk closely with 24 goals.
GODFREY SAPULA: THE TEAM THAT WINS THE LEAGUE WILL BE STRONG FOR THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Meanwhile, Sundowns’ unbeaten run reads seven matches, with five wins and two draws. In this series, Miguel Cardoso’s side has scored 14 goals while collecting four clean sheets.
According to Sapula, Sundowns will end the season in May above every club in South Africa’s premier division. He also admits that Pirates also have an equal opportunity to lift the title. And despite Sekhukhune United in third place and Kaizer Chiefs in fourth also enjoying a good run, they are not mentioned in the race.”
“Absolutely [Sundowns will defend the title],” Sapula said in the Omniaudioafrica podcast. “The league is a marathon. Absolutely.
“Any of the two teams can win it. Maybe it is good that we see this strong competition. It has to be [competitive] with the amount of talent we have in the country.
“Also, when you have a team that is looking to win the CAF Champions League again, it starts with the challenges you face in the domestic league. Sometimes, if it is easy to win the domestic league, then it won’t be good preparation for the CAF Champions League.
“For me, this will say a team that wins this league will get good, strong preparation to say, come the Champions League, we are ready, you know?
“So any of the two teams [can win it]. But it is early days to say who is going to win because there are 15 more games; anything can still happen. But it is good to see Pirates challenging, but it is absolutely possible that Sundowns can still win it,” Sapula concluded.
The two sides meet in a thrilling league clash at FNB Stadium this evening at 19:30. A win for Pirates will extend their top-of-the-table lead to nine points, while a defeat will cut the gap to three points.
RELATED STORY: Why ex-Pirates star Mhlongo is not writing off Cardoso’s Sundowns